HELP Preserve patient access to quality rehab and
assistive technology equipment and related services.
Join AAHomecare Today!
The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) is the only national
association that represents every line of service within the homecare
community, including home health and home medical equipment providers,
respiratory and infusion therapy, telemedicine, hospice, and rehab and
assistive technology. AAHomecare is dedicated to advancing the value and
practice of quality health care services at home and protecting the
reimbursement for those services.
A flurry of regulatory and legislative activity directly impacts how rehab
and assistive technology patients access products and services. Not only
will high-end rehab providers be subject to a new code set next July 2005,
but also there are a series of regulatory changes that directly will impact
your business. As you may be aware, the Medicare and Modernization Act
(MMA) included a wide array of provisions that affect rehab providers,
ranging from accreditation requirements to reimbursement. Next year, manual
wheelchairs and power wheelchairs will be subject to Medicare reimbursement
cuts of 7.13% and 3.28% respectively. In 2007 competitive bidding will go
into effect in the top 10 metropolitan statistical areas, and in 2009
competitive bidding will be applied nationally. There are strong
indications that CMS may consider including power wheelchairs in
competitive bidding. Recently, the General Accounting Office (GAO) issued
its report entitled "Past Experience Can Guide Future Competitive Bidding
for Medical Equipment and Supplies," in which iturges CMS to consider
additional items, including power wheelchairs. These are just a fewissues
that AAHomecare through its Rehab and Assistive Technology Council (RATC)
is currently tackling.
Now is an ideal time to support the activities of AAHomecare and its RATC
with a new look and leadership. As we move forward, the Council will
continue to be the leading authority on legislative and regulatory issues
that relate to the rehab and assistive technology industry. Receive the
latest information and news about the industry via the RATC's new website
www.ratc-aahomecare.org launched in September 2004.
Consider spending one percent (1%) of your revenue to protect your
industry's future. Payers now recognize Homecare as THE siteof health
care, but we need to be vigilant and ensure that governmental policies do
not jeopardize this industry's potential to succeed. Doctors and hospitals
influence Medicare policy through their associations and you should too.
Join us in building this vibrant industry sector, as we need your support
to continue fighting to preserve and protect our homecare industry and its
reimbursement. Please take time to complete and return your enclosed
AAHomecare Membership Application today to my attention either via fax or
mail and give us a chance to advance your interests and begin working
together toward our common objectives. If you have any membership
questions, comments or ideas please feel free to contact me at
TuckerO@aahomecare.org or 703-836-6263 ext. 817.
Tucker Ophof
Director of Membership Sales
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