CSIHME Publicist is Catalyst for WSJ Story

The positive story in the June 16, 2009 Wall Street Journal was the culmination of efforts by the CSIHME publicist, Crystal Wright.  Crystal has been working with CSIHME leaders and providers across the country to produce the story which highlights the plight of patients under the cap and the effects on providers.  This is just the beginning of what will be a concerted effort to generate positive consumer advocacy stories across America. 

Crystal, the principle with the Baker-Wright Group is DC has been working with reporters and publications to begin the consumer awareness initiative developed by the CSIHME leadership team.  "We anticipate more stories like this as we go forward," notes David Petsch, CSIHME Managing Director.  The publicist is currently working to get the story picked-up by a broad range of papers across the country, particularly in the hometowns of members of Ways & Means and Energy & Commerce committees.

GAMES members are encouraged to contact their local papers and provide them with the story.  This will give local papers a chance to develop a follow-on story with a local connections. 
CLICK HERE to read the article. 

REAKING NEWS! - HOPP Act reintroduced!

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                   Contact:    Brendan Buck
 May 13, 2009;(202) 225-4501

Price and Shuler Team Up to Improve Seniors’ Health Care

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) and Rep. Heath Shuler (D-NC) issued the following joint statement after introducing the Home Oxygen Patient Protection Act. The bill will allow oxygen suppliers to continue their current level of care by restoring payment policy through the period of medical need. This provision changes existing law, which jeopardizes the patient-provider relationship for home oxygen care after 36 months under Medicare.
 
“America’s senior citizens must have access to the highest quality health care,” said Rep. Price. “When it comes to health care, patients must come first. Oxygen therapy requires professional, attentive care, and current law is undercutting our seniors’ access to such care. By eliminating unnecessary red tape, we can make sure that folks who rely on home oxygen therapy have access to the treatments that will improve their quality of life.”
 
“Medical oxygen is a prescription drug that is highly regulated due to the safety concerns with misuse,” said Rep. Shuler. “Home oxygen equipment and its use are not only complex, but oftentimes there are issues with the oxygen and equipment which occur more often, or at different times than, routine maintenance visits. It is of the utmost importance that we continue to protect the health and safety of oxygen patients, and make sure that they receive the care that they need.”
 
CLICK HERE to read the bill. 

May 8, 2009 GAMES received this clarification on Home Oxygen payment policy and the traveling patient from CIGNA Government Services.

http://www.cignagovernmentservices.com/jc/pubs/news/2009/0509/cope9844.html Please read this carefully. Providers should not be charging the patient that travels into or out of your service area. 

Updated Home Oxygen FAQ's From CIGNA - Feb. 4, 2009

CLICK HERE to read the FAQ's.

January 27, 2009 - CMS Publishes Billing Requirements for Oxygen and Oxygen Equipment 

CLICK HERE to read the requirements.
CLICK HERE to read comments from HomeCare Monday, February 2, 2009.
 

December 30, 2008 - AAHomecare  offers Guidance on Oxygen Equipment Payment Changes

CLICK HERE to read CMS’ Guidance on Oxygen Equipment Payment Changes from the American Association for Homecare.
 

December 29, 2008 - GAMES submits comments on O2 Final Rule 

CLICK HERE to read the comments submitted by GAMES in response to CMS-1403-FC. 

Oxygen FAQs Now Available!

On Monday, December 8, CIGNA Government Services Jurisdiction C DME MAC  hosted an Ask the Contractor Teleconference (ACT) dedicated to the new Oxygen Reimbursement Guidelines.  Guest speaker on the call was Joel Kaiser, Deputy Director DMEPOS Division with the CMS Regional Office in Baltimore, Maryland.  If you were unable to join in for the live call, the recording is now available at www.cignagovernmentservices.com. If you were unable to attend the Oxygen ACT call or Oxygen webinars, but had questions regarding the recent changes to Oxygen payment, you may now access the Oxygen Frequently Asked Questions and/or the audio from the Teleconference.

CLICK HERE to read the question and answers.
CLICK HERE to listen to the audio. 

November 19, 2008 - Jurisdiction C Releases Clarification to Changes in Medicare Payment for Oxygen and Oxygen Equipment

CLICK HERE to read  the MLN (Medicare Learning Network) article explaining the new oxygen payment rules and supplier responsibilities.

October 31, 2008 - CMS announces new policy regarding Home Oxygen Therapy under the O2 CAP

CLICK HERE to read industry analysis.

CLICK HERE to read the policy (pages 837 - 859).

Current Industry and Legislative Activity

August 6, 2008

CLICK HERE to read a list of questions the AAHomecare Regulatory Committee submitted to CMS regarding plans to implement various aspects of the DRA oxygen payment policy changes.
 

NAIMES Writes To CMS Acting Administrator Weems About Oxygen Policy

NAIMES has written to Mr. Weems at CMS asking for a date when the revised oxygen policy will be announced.  CLICK HERE to read the Weems Letter.
 

History of the DRA of 2005 and the 36 month Oxygen Cap

The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005

CLICK HERE to read the entire bill. Section 5101 addresses Medicare Part B specifically.

From CMS, February 2006

PAYMENT PROVISIONS IN THE ORIGINAL MEDICARE PROGRAM IMMEDIATELY AFFECTED BY THE DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT
On February 8, President Bush signed the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) into law. Read more.....