Questions about Tariffs? Check out these Resources on our Tariff Tracker Page!

Congress Passes, President Signs Continuing Resolution

Published in Government Relations on December 23, 2024

As you know by now, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government operating for another three months. Signed by President Joe Biden, this resolution will only fund critical government operations through March 31, 2025. 

Despite the amazing work by members, vendor partners, and our other industry partners, VGM was disappointed that the DME Relief bill (H.R. 5555) was not included in the CR. This bill would have extended the 75/25 reimbursement blend for non-rural areas.  

There was a bit of good news for the industry as the telehealth flexibilities that came from the PHI/Covid days were extended through the CR. This extension removes the geographic requirements and expands originating sites for telehealth as well as expanding the list of practitioners eligible to provide telehealth services. For our PT/OT partners, this applies to face-to-face LMCP, specialty wheelchair evaluations for mobility products. 

So, what about the DME Relief? 

We need to continue our pressure to have our DME Relief included in this last package. Reach out to your representative and senator today and every day to make sure they understand the importance this relief has on your ability to serve your community. We MUST continue to fight for our industry, our businesses, and all of those that depend on us for their healthcare and their independence. VGM is proud to be right here with you, fighting every day! 

Take a few moments now to follow this link to make your voice heard! Ask your congressperson to support and push for the inclusion of DME Relief (H.R. 5555) in the final package! 

From Our Experts

Key Payers Denied Your Application Citing Their Network Is Closed – Now What? thumbnail Key Payers Denied Your Application Citing Their Network Is Closed – Now What? This experience has increasingly become one of the most common questions we receive from our provider members as more and more payers move to narrow their provider networks. The reasons payers seek to narrow their networks are simple. Payers are highly motivated to achieve their goals while doing less work and are not required to allow providers into their networks unless there is a patient access issue. For those of you fortunate enough to be a part of a narrow network, this may not be much of Congress Returns: Medicaid Cuts Take Center Stage thumbnail Congress Returns: Medicaid Cuts Take Center Stage Congress is back in session after a two-week recess. Number one on the docket is figuring out the budget. The house is tasked with coming up with a $1.5 trillion reduction and a key committee is in the spotlight. The DMEPOS Relief Act Of 2025 – WE NEED YOUR HELP! thumbnail The DMEPOS Relief Act Of 2025 – WE NEED YOUR HELP! The DMEPOS Relief Act of 2025 (or H.R. 2005) is bipartisan legislation that was recently introduced in Congress designed to increase reimbursement for a large percentage of HME providers across the country. This bill establishes a higher reimbursement rate (known as the 75/25 blended rate) for durable medical equipment in nonrural/noncompetitive bidding areas under Medicare until Dec. 31, 2025.