Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/52926
10 News Talking points at Feb. 15 event include audits and competitive bidding BY THERESA FLAHERTY, Managing Editor ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The HME indus- try needs all hands on deck if it wants to be heard during this year's AAHomecare Washington Legislative Conference, associa- tion officials say. "We can't pass up an oppor- tunity to make sure everybody knows what HME is about and why it's important to preserve access to this type of care," said Michael Reinemer, vice president of communications and policy. "Everyone else is here banging pots and pans and insisting their issues are the most important." This year's Legislative Confer- ence takes place Feb. 15-16 at the L'Enfant Plaza Hotel in Washing- ton, D.C. AAHomecare has kept the registration rates for this year's WWW.HMENEWS.COM / FEBRUARY 2012 / HME NEWS Connect and converse at Legislative Conference conference the same as last year's: $245 for members and $355 for non-members. Back again this year: Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Pa., who introduced H.R. 1041, a bill to repeal competitive bidding, in March. "One of the reasons why we appreciate return appearances by HME champions, such as Rep. Thompson, is that they can offer insight into the legislative 'lay of the land' and can discuss the obstacles or opportunities that may hinder or help progress toward our specific goals," said Reinemer. Also speaking will be Rep. Phil Gingrey, R-Ga., and industry lob- byists. The heart of the confer- ence, however, remains the Cap- itol Hill visits. "This is a place where people can begin to make those conver- sations," said Reinemer. "If you can make those connections, it makes a huge difference for the rest of the year." Attendees certainly have a full plate of issues to discuss this year, including audits and prepay reviews for power wheelchairs. Still, expect competitive bidding to be the primary topic of conver- sation, says Tyler Wilson, presi- dent and CEO of AAHomecare. "Two years ago, we talked pro- spectively about our concerns with competitive bidding," said Wilson. "Now the program is in full force and we are seeing these detrimental effects." Last year, conference attend- ees had the newly introduced H.R. 1041 to talk about. This year, AAHomecare is keeping its fingers crossed that its proposed market pricing program will have found a legislative vehicle by the conference. Either way, with competitive bid- ding expanding into an additional 91 areas, it will be easier to catch the attention of those lawmakers who previously may have been unconcerned about the program. "Any time you can take an issue out of the abstract and relate it back to their districts, that's a pos- itive," said Wilson. HME PAOC Another great reason to switch. HQAA is the only accreditation provider with coaches to review your standards. View videos about all 3 great reasons to switch to HQAA – and download our FREE switch guide – at www.HQAA.org/switch. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 the committee from being able to suggest changes to the pro- gram so that it would have less devastating effects on providers and beneficiaries, he said. The PAOC last met in April. Members requested to meet with CMS several times in the fall, but got no response, said PAOC member Tom Milam. Still, he does feel the commit- tee made some headway. "I do think that behind the Become a Quality Champion. 866.909.4722 scenes some of our comments did move some of the rules in a better way," he said. "I think some of that will keep CMS accountable for more than just a low price. It will keep CMS accountable in the end for access and service." HME