Last Updated: July 21, 2023 | 11:00am EST
UPDATE: UPS Strike Business Continuity
July 21, 203: As you may know, a bargaining agreement between UPS and their U.S.-based employees (represented by the IBT) has not been reached, and the current unionized contract expires July 31st. As a result, there is potential for a strike by UPS’s Teamster members that could start as early as July 31st if a contract is not agreed upon.
UPDATE: CMS Pauses Round 2021 For Most Product Categories
October 27, 2020: CMS announced on Tuesday that there will be no Round 2021 competitive bidding contracts awarded for product categories bid in this round, with the exception of Off-The-Shelf (OTS) Back Braces and OTS Knee Braces. Click below to read the AAHomecare article for more information.
UPDATE: HHS Extends Deadline for Attestation, Acceptance of Terms and Conditions for Provider Relief Fund Payments to 45 Days
May 27, 2020: The Department of Health and Human Services has extended the deadline for healthcare providers to attest to receipt of payments from the Provider Relief Fund and accept the Terms and Conditions. Providers will now have 45 days, increased from 30 days, from the date they receive a payment to attest and accept the Terms and Conditions or return the funds. Click below to read more.
UPDATE: CMS Releases Updated Fee Schedule for Non-Bid Area Suppliers Based on CARES Act
May 5, 2020: CMS just released new rates for non-rural/non-bid areas based on the COVID-19 stimulus legislation enacted in late March. These rates went into effect for claims with dates of service beginning March 6 and will be in place until the end of the public health emergency. Read more from the HomeCare Magazine article by clicking below.
UPDATE: COVID-19 Toolkit: CGA News & Resources
April 12, 2020: Click the link below to visit the Compressed Gas Association’s COVID-19 toolkit page with up-to-date news and resources for healthcare providers.
UPDATE: Interim Guidance for Implementing Safety Practices for Critical Infrastructure Workers Who May Have Had Exposure to a Person with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19
April 9, 2020: To ensure continuity of operations of essential functions, CDC advises that critical infrastructure workers may be permitted to continue work following potential exposure to COVID-19, provided they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are implemented to protect them and the community. Click below to visit the CDC’s site and read more.
UPDATE: CMS Removes Non-Invasive Ventilators from Round 2021 of the Competitive Bidding Program
April 9, 2020: Due to the novel COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is removing the non-invasive ventilators (NIV) product category from Round 2021 of the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. Click the link below to read more.
UPDATE: UnitedHealthcare Releases Updated Guidance for HME Suppliers
April 8, 2020: UnitedHealtcare (a major third party payer) has release a new guidance to help HME suppliers in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This applies to Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and Individual and Group Market health plan members, with dates of delivery from March 31, 2020, until May 31, 2020. Click the link below to read more.
UPDATE: Safety Alert, Cylinder and Cryogenic Container Issue Related to Cylinder Conversion and Filling During the COVID-19 Crisis
April 8, 2020: CGA has issued the first edition of SA-36, Safety Alert, Cylinder and Cryogenic Container Issue Related to Cylinder Conversion and Filling During the COVID-19 Crisis. The safety alert was published and is available to download from CGA’s website. Click below to real the full notice.
UPDATE: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Notice Temporarily Waives Hydrostatic Test Date Requirement for Cylinders
April 6, 2020: On April 6, 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a Notice of Enforcement Discretion Regarding Cylinders That Have Exceeded Their Periodic Requalification Test Date (click below). This notification means that hydrostatic test date requirement for oxygen cylinders has been waived temporarily. Click below to real the full notice.
UPDATE: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Issues Special Permit SP 21025
April 1, 2020: The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued Special Permit SP 21025 that authorizes the filling and offering for transportation certain DOT specification cylinders that are up to 12 months overdue for periodic requalification for relief efforts during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency. Click here for DOT Special Permit SP 21025 and click here to download an application template.
UPDATE: CMS Releases Interim Final Rule on COVID-19 Regulatory Changes
March 31, 2020: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released an Interim Final Rule (IFR) addressing a range of healthcare issues related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. HomeCare Magazine summarized the initial analysis of the IFR performed by AAHomecare that indicates that priority policy recommendations from the HME industry have been included, except for the delay of competitive bidding.
State Controlled Substance Pharmacy Law Waivers and COVID-19 Response
SAFETY ALERT: CGA announces the release of CGA SA-35 (Cleaning of Cylinders Returned from Healthcare Facilities During a Pandemic)
March 27, 2020: Cleaning of Cylinders Returned from Healthcare Facilities During a Pandemic, which provides additional guidance on the use of cleaning and disinfection solutions for cylinders received from healthcare facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic. This Safety Alert is available free of charge.
Now Available at No Charge: CGA Publication P-83 Provides Guidelines for Cleaning Contaminated Medical Gas Containers
March 4, 2020: CGA P-83 provides guidance on the considerations required to avoid compromising the medical gas container during cleaning and disinfection procedures. Click below to access the CGA website and the free download.
Coronavirus.gov
Official government website with information about the outbreak.
Medicare.gov
The source for your Medicare questions about COVID-19.
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