Tag: VGM
‘Critical juncture’: AAH, VGM partner on event to push legislation
October 12, 2023HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare and VGM are partnering on a new virtual advocacy event to bolster awareness and support for Medicare legislation as Congress enters the final legislative weeks of the year.
The DMEPOS Relief Act of 2023 (H.R. 5555 and S. 1294), would provide a 90/10 blended Medicare reimbursement rate for most home medical equipment products in competitive bidding areas for all of 2024 and extend the current 75/25 blended rate currently in effect in rural/non-CBA...
Onboarding: Lay groundwork for success
October 10, 2023Cindy Diehl Yang
Q. What are the elements of a good onboarding program for employees?
A. The employee onboarding process is crucial for shaping new hires' perception of their workplace and laying the foundation for their future success. It's more than a checklist; it's a carefully designed integration into the organization. There are three key phases: preboarding, the first day and defining success.
Preboarding: Building confidence
Upon accepting the offer, ensure...
NCART, U.S. Rehab seek insight on stability of CRT businesses
August 23, 2023HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – NCART and U.S. Rehab have joined forces to launch a comprehensive survey to gather real-time data on the financial stability of businesses within the complex rehab industry.
The convergence of factors such as inflation, wage increases, supply chain disruptions, and elevated shipping costs has led to a challenging environment that demands careful analysis and collective action, they say.
“Complex rehab technologies are experiencing pressure from many...
Stakeholders push back against vent denial ratesÂ
August 15, 2023Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – With an “absurd” denial rate as high as 86% for non-invasive ventilators for one major Medicare Advantage plan, industry stakeholders are collaborating with patient advocacy groups to elevate their concerns with CMS.
Confusion around who qualifies for NIVs vs. bi-level devices is nothing new, but recently, it’s gotten worse, says David Chandler, senior director of payer relations for AAHomecare.
“It’s escalated to what I consider...
Heartland Conference: How to ‘outperform stress,’ why MA plans are here to stay, what makes resupply promising
June 14, 2023Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM kicked off its 2023 Heartland Conference on Tuesday with a keynote session from Adam Markel on “change proof resilience,” an apt topic for HME provider attendees navigating the fast-paced health care environment.
Markel, who is a former lawyer turned researcher, speaker and author of a number of books, including Change Proof, said resilience, contrary to what we think, is not about Rocky-like endurance.
“That’s the grit model,”...
AAH welcomes new board membersÂ
June 5, 2023HME News Staff
ARLINGTON, Va. – AAHomecare’s board of directors has voted in two new members: Jim Nygren, president of VGM Insurance and acquisition and investment manager for VGM Group; and Diane Racicot, vice president of payer relations East Region for National Seating & Mobility. “We are fortunate to add these accomplished professionals to the AAHomecare leadership team and look forward to working with them to strengthen the association and advocate for HME legislative and regulatory priorities,”...
VGM receives language learners grantÂ
March 27, 2023HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM Group was one of 11 employers awarded the Iowa Language Learners Job Training Program Grant on March 8 to develop solutions to reduce language barriers for Iowa-based companies. With the grant, VGM will provide high quality on-site language training in focused groups totaling up to 144 employees over the two-year grant period. “We’re incredibly grateful that VGM has this opportunity to take the necessary steps to develop this program,” said VGM Chief People...
VGM opens registration for HeartlandÂ
February 21, 2023HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa – VGM has opened registration for its 22nd Heartland Conference scheduled for June 12-14 in Waterloo, Iowa, with special pricing until April 14. “Heartland is more than a premier educational conference,” said Jeremy Stolz, president of VGM & Associates and VGM Fulfillment. “It also provides unique opportunities to make important connections with key experts and colleagues in the industry. Heartland is truly the best place to be part of something bigger....
Industry reaches ‘inflection point’ in bid areas
January 6, 2023Liz Beaulieu, Editor
Industry scored major wins in an end-of-year spending bill
But, outside of annual updates, reimbursement relief in former competitive bidding areas has been elusive
Stakeholders are now working on a strategy for providing relief in those areas, but CMS’s plans for the next round of bidding is an obstacle
WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders “left everything on the field” in December, paving the way for Congress to pass several HME-related provisions...
The $64 million question: What is the value of HME?
December 30, 2022Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WATERLOO, Iowa – Alan Morris is back at VGM, but now he has eight years of valuable experience at a health system under his belt.
“I learned a lot about how organizations like these operate and how they depend on and interact with providers of home-based care services,” said Morris, who was named director of research and government strategies for VGM Government Relations in October. “I also learned what makes them tick from a financial and operations perspective.”
Here’s...