Grassroots Accountability Project

KEY ISSUES

Welcome to the GAP, the HME industry’s grassroots advocacy initiative! Below are the key HME priorities that GAP volunteers are working on. Thanks for getting involved and helping make a difference for the HME community and those we serve!

DME Relief

The 2022 Omnibus budget provided a 1-year extension of the 75/25 blended rate relief for non-bid non-rural areas, expiring December 31, 2023. This relief increased DME rates by an average of 32% for affected areas by blending the payment rate with 75% of the Competitive-Bidding regional rate and 25% of the unadjusted Medicare fee schedule. This relief provides more stability for suppliers in non-bid areas as well as bolstering rates from other payers who are influenced by Medicare rates, including TRICARE and many state Medicaid programs.


Legislation to extend the Medicare 75/25 blended rate for DME suppliers in non-rural, non-competitive bidding areas through the end of 2024 has passed through the Senate Finance Committee and the House Energy & Commerce Committee and was well- positioned for in government funding legislation set for consideration in mid-January and 2024.


However, the Congress instead passed a short-term spending bill on January 18 to keep the funded until the beginning of March, buying lawmakers more time to finish the formal appropriations process. On March 3, Congressional leaders announced a narrow healthcare package as part of the appropriations package that does not include the DME 75/25 relief provision. 


We need to continue to push to help get this relief as soon as possible. Please send a letter to your Senators and House member encouraging them to reach out to leadership in their respective chambers in support of including DME relief measures (S. 1294 and H.R. 5555 provisions) in the next upcoming government funding bill.

  • Senate Democrats can reach out to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office
  • Senate Republicans can reach out to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office
  • House Democrats can reach out to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’ office
  • House Democrats can reach out to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s office