Homecare Community Lends Hand in Katrina Relief

Main Category: Caregivers / Homecare
Article Date: 12 Sep 2005 - 4:00 PDT

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Message from the President of the American Association for Homecare

Dear AAHomecare Members:

The tragedy and loss Hurricane Katrina has caused on the Gulf Coast Region is devastating. But within all of the sadness, we as a homecare community have a unique opportunity to positively impact people's lives, whether we're near the disaster or far from it.

We are encouraged by the overwhelming support that we have been hearing from many of you. AAHomecare has received countless calls and emails from providers wishing to donate supplies, give money, or aid relief efforts in whatever way is needed.

Confusion and compassion seem to be common threads that run throughout this horrifying disaster. So many want to help in any way possible.

AAHomecare's website (http://www.aahomecare.org ) will be your resource for recent bulletins from federal agencies and links to key information relating to relief efforts. Through our site, you can also donate money to the Red Cross Hurricane Katrina fund as a member of the homecare community.

At AAHomecare, we are the centralized clearinghouse for the homecare community, coordinating information with Members of Congress, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as well as countless members of the homecare community both inside and outside of the disaster areas. All of them have emphasized the importance of supporting the local healthcare systems in affected areas, and AAHomecare will continue to pass along information as we get it.

For those of you wishing to donate medical supplies or equipment, send us an email at info@aahomecare.org. We will attempt to match donors with recipients as best we can, and available donations will be posted on our website so that those in affected areas can see them when they are in need of a particular supply.

AAHomecare has a toll-free number for those with questions relating to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Please call us on the AAHomecare Hurricane Katrina hotline at 1-866-289-0492 if you are a part of the homecare community in need of assistance - or if you are looking for information on how you can help.

Many of you have come to us with questions about how the disaster affects Medicare and Medicaid policies and HIPPA laws as well as other healthcare regulations and issues. I am constant contact with CMS and FEMA to get these questions answered as they arise, and I encourage you to continue to pass along questions about problems through email at info@aahomecare.org or through our hotline.

Members of Congress have also expressed to us their devotion to making relief efforts run as smoothly and efficiently as possible in each and every state. If you find particular policies or regulations are impeding your ability to provide care to Hurricane Katrina evacuees, express your concerns to your district offices and state leaders so they can resolve them in the best way possible.

Today, President Bush requested $51.8 billion in a supplemental request for hurricane aid, which is in addition to the $10.5 billion approved last week. A public health emergency has been declared in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Florida, and Texas. This means that healthcare providers administering medical treatment in these states are exempt from noncompliance sanctions for certain Medicare and Medicaid program requirements and HIPPA laws are relaxed in these states. Visit the AAHomecare Web site for links to additional information about program modifications.

Please save the evening of October 18 at Medtrade in Atlanta for the First Annual AAHomecare Humanitarian Dinner to honor and raise money Hurricane Katrina relief. We will release more information on the dinner soon.

We must continue to inspire others to aid our fellow Americans as we focus on the entire region that is struggling to survive.

Warmest regards, and thank you,

Kay Cox, President and CEO
American Association for Homecare

Experts Will Brief Hill Staff on Cost-Effectiveness of Homecare for Medicare, Medicaid at Capitol, September 20, 2005

The American Association for Homecare will host a panel of experts to present a briefing to Congressional staff on the value and cost-effectiveness of homecare on September 20, 2005. The event is sponsored by the Home Care Coalition, a group of national organizations have joined together to form the Home Care Coalition that unites providers and consumers to advocate for policies that strengthen homecare in the United States.

WHO:
Panel representing homecare physicians, skilled nurses, family caregivers, therapists, and infusion providers (details to follow)

WHAT:
Congressional briefing on the value and cost-effectiveness of homecare

WHEN:
Tuesday, September 20, 2005, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

WHERE:
U.S. Capitol Building, Room HC-6

Don't Miss Sept 13 CMS "Open Door" Forum on Mobility Interim Final Rule

AAHomecare urges doctors, clinicians, legislative staff, and other stakeholders to participate in the Special Open Door Forum on the recently published interim final rule regarding the Medicare Conditions for Payment of Power Wheelchairs and Power-Operated Vehicles, hosted by CMS, on Tuesday, September 13, 2005, 2:00 - 5:00 pm (Eastern Time). This interim final rule represents a significant change in Medicare policies for power mobility devices. Details are available at http://www.aahomecare.org .

To participate in the Open Door Forum by phone, dial 1-800-837-1935 and reference conference ID 8912921. To participate in person, an RSVP is required: Please send an email by close of business Friday, September 9th to SpecialODF@cms.hhs.gov. Include the words "Power Mobility Devices" in the subject line of your message and the following information: full name, organization or representation, your contact information (phone and email), and special needs information. Photo identification is required at security points. The forum will be held in the Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Room 705A, 200 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20201. For more details, see http://www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoor.

Crowd Expected at September 26-27 PAOC Meeting on Competitive Bidding

The American Association for Homecare is encouraging a full house at the September 26-27 Program Advisory and Oversight Committee (PAOC) meeting at the CMS Offices in Baltimore - 500 Security Boulevard Baltimore MD, 21244. This meeting will provide valuable information on competitive bidding, including DMEPOS supplier standards, accreditation, consumer impact, small homecare supplier issues, and impact on rural areas. There will also be seven stakeholder panel presentations, including Beneficiary Organizations, Blood Glucose Systems, Home Medical Equipment, Respiratory Equipment, Rehab/Assistive Technology Equipment, Prosthetics and Orthotics, and Enteral Nutrition.

A CMS Open Door Forum on the Proposed Quality Standards and Regulation will also be held during this time. Most importantly, there will be several opportunities for public comment.

The meeting is expected to begin each day at 8:30 am and end at 4:30 pm (Eastern Daylight Time). Registration to attend the meeting must be submitted to CMS by 5:00 pm (EDT), September 16, 2005. You can register by sending the following information: name, telephone number, email address (if applicable), company name and address to sean.dalenberg@cms.hhs.gov or Sean Dalenberg, Mailstop C5-08-27, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore MD 21244. Also, persons attending the PAOC public meeting with hearing or visual impairments, special requirements, or a condition that requires special assistance or accommodation must provide this information when registering. For an agenda, or more information, see the August 24 Wednesday in Washington or visit cms.hhs.gov/suppliers/dmepos/compbid/paoc.asp.

CMS Open Door on Pharmaceutical, Pharmacy and Device Manufacturers September 15

There will be an open door forum for Pharmaceutical, Pharmacy and Device Manufacturers September 15 at 2:00 p.m. ET. Dial 1-800-837-1935 and use reference ID 2865504.

American Association for Homecare
625 Slaters Lane
Suite 200
Alexandria
VA 22314.
For more information, please call AAHomecare at (703) 836 6263. http://www.aahomecare.org.

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