How Can You Get Reimbursed for Lost/Destroyed Equipment After a Disaster

Published in Government Relations on October 17, 2022

Emily Harken

With Hurricane Ian recently hitting the Southeast United States, many providers are left with the same question. Can they be reimbursed for lost/destroyed equipment after the disaster?

Emily Harken, Director, VGM Government Relations, recently answered this question in HME News. The full Smart Talk article can be read here.

Government assistance is available if/when the White House declares a national disaster. Section 1135 authorizes the secretary of Health and Human Services to waive or modify certain Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and HIPAA requirements during a national disaster with these two pre-requisites: the president must declare an emergency/disaster under the National Emergency Act; and the secretary must declare a public health emergency under the Public Service Act.  

The Emergency Preparedness for HME Suppliers Committee consists of state association leaders across the country, as well as VGM and AAHomecare members. Other post-disaster resources and checklists are available on the committee’s website. 

The full Smart Talk article can be read here.


TAGS

  1. billing & reimbursement
  2. dmepos
  3. hme
  4. reimbursement
  5. vgm
  6. vgm government

From Our Experts

BOC Reinstated As Approved Accrediting Organization thumbnail BOC Reinstated As Approved Accrediting Organization As reported by HME News: Court grants company's motion for temporary restraining order against CMS OWINGS Mills, MD.—The Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) has been reinstated as an approved accrediting organization (AO) in all but four states, the company has announced. Click here to read the full article from HME News. The federal court has granted a temporary restraining order (“TRO”) in favor of BOC…thereby restoring BOC as an accrediting organization in all states except N DMEPOS Bills Gaining Momentum thumbnail DMEPOS Bills Gaining Momentum Fresh off a great House Energy & Commerce Health Sub-Committee hearing, now is the perfect time to reach out to your representative(s) and ask them to support the DMEPOS Relief Act, H.R. 2005; Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025, H.R. 1703; and the Supplemental Oxygen Access Reform Act of 2025, H.R. 2902. CMS Changes Competitive Bid Program Impacting Contracts and Bid Submission Requirements for Financial Documentation – What Providers Need to Know thumbnail CMS Changes Competitive Bid Program Impacting Contracts and Bid Submission Requirements for Financial Documentation – What Providers Need to Know The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' (CMS) changes to the DMEPOS Competitive Bid Program as outlined in CMS-1828-F will reshape how suppliers prepare bids, qualify for contracts, and manage operational readiness. For DME suppliers, understanding both the changes to the contract awards and the bid submission is essential to understanding and preparing for the next bidding cycle. Meet The Candidates: VGM Hosts Rep. Randy Feenstra, Iowa Gubernatorial Candidate thumbnail Meet The Candidates: VGM Hosts Rep. Randy Feenstra, Iowa Gubernatorial Candidate Waterloo, Iowa – On Monday, VGM Group welcomed employees and local guests for another installment of its Meet The Candidates series. The featured guest was Rep. Randy Feenstra, current Congressman for Iowa's 4th District and a strong supporter of DMEPOS legislation. Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Medicare Payment Policy Legislation – Thursday, Jan. 8 thumbnail Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee to Hold Hearing on Medicare Payment Policy Legislation – Thursday, Jan. 8 The House Energy & Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing titled “Legislative Proposals to Support Patient Access to Medicare Services” on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 10:15 a.m. (ET). CMS Releases CPI-U Adjustments for DMEPOS In 2026 And Fee Schedule Q1 thumbnail CMS Releases CPI-U Adjustments for DMEPOS In 2026 And Fee Schedule Q1 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the annual inflation factor to be applied to DMEPOS items effective January 1, 2026, with an implementation date of January 5, 2026. The breakdown of the adjustment is dependent upon whether the serviced items are included in the competitive bidding program (CBP) or are in formerly competitive bid areas (CBAs) such as rural and non-rural. Update from the Board of Certification/Accreditation thumbnail Update from the Board of Certification/Accreditation Yesterday, the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC) issued a clarification regarding the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid's (CMS) recent announcement about withdrawing BOC Accreditation. Here are the key updates... CMS Withdraws BOC Accreditation Authority For DMEPOS Suppliers thumbnail CMS Withdraws BOC Accreditation Authority For DMEPOS Suppliers On December 2, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) officially revoked the Board of Certification/Accreditation International (BOC) as an approved accreditation organization for suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS).