How FEMA Can Help DMEPOS Businesses Prep for Natural Disasters

Published in Government Relations on July 25, 2024

Disaster Preparedness | News & Resources

Last month, representatives of the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) community attended a virtual meeting hosted by the CMS Competitive Acquisition Ombudsman, Tangita Daramola. She also introduced the FEMA Director of Disability Integration and Coordination, Sherman Gilliums, Jr. and Kristen Finney (with ASPR), who shared important perspectives on how the lack of energy impacts access to durable medical equipment (DME) and patient care. Associates from the Red Cross also attended.

The goal was to showcase the DMEPOS community as key players in the event of a disaster. Attendees shared their real-life experiences providing life-saving DME before, during, and after a disaster and helped to demonstrate the vital need for engagement with emergency support in the event of hurricanes, tornados, ice storms, and other natural disasters. They also discussed the lack of reimbursement and resources available to DME providers during a disaster. The goal was to promote future collaboration before natural disasters occur.

The DMEPOS supplier representatives were Victoria Peterson of RespMed, Mark Gowen of Angel Medical, Larry Dalton of Advanced Care Medical, Kimberly Rogers Bowers of Apria, Kim Brummett and Mina Uerha of AAHomecare, and John Gallagher and Emily Harken of VGM. Natural disaster season is in full swing. Now is a great time to brush up on your natural disaster/emergency preparedness tools and resources.

FEMA Introduces New Tool for Collecting DMEPOS Information for Emergency Preparedness

FEMA recently updated their online planning tool to include a field to collect DME information. Having information like make and model can be very useful in helping survivors replace DME after a disaster. Located on FEMA’s ready.gov you can now find the DMEPOS documentation section under Make a Plan Form | Ready.gov. This is now live and ready to go.

This site can be used to assist customers in capturing details of their DMEPOS equipment if it needs to be replaced. There is also an accessible record for individuals, families, and case managers to assist in the process.

This tool and many other resources can be found on the DMEPOS Emergency Preparedness page: Emergency Preparedness for Home Medical Equipment Suppliers Committee | VGM & Associates

Is Your DMEPOS Business Prepared for a Natural Disaster?

There are several resources available on the Emergency Preparedness for DMEPOS Suppliers website. Please take a few minutes to review these resources to ensure you are ready in the event of a natural disaster.

Suggestions:

· Communication is key during a disaster. Stay in contact with your patients. Make sure you have their phone numbers, and they have your contact info. If a disaster is heading your way, you may want to contact your customers; especially those that rely on oxygen, ventilators, CPAPs, or any device powered by electricity.

· Reach out to your state emergency departments and your Governor’s office. If state or federal funding is needed;needed, you will want to be first in line to receive any funding or other assistance. A simple Google search (state emergency management office) will provide you with their website. Once you find the website, locate the “contact us” button.

· Stay in contact with your DME MAC’s office. Keep them updated on your needs. The DME Emergency Preparedness Committee has had discussions with these groups, and they are willing to help in the event of an emergency (particularly with reimbursement guidance). You can find the contact to all the DME MAC’s offices here: Contact Info

· Need assistance from FEMA? Here is a link to all the regional FEMA contacts: FEMA Contact Info

Please reach out to us at VGM and/or your state association if we can be of further assistance during an emergency.

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