Home Health & Hospice Week

Another new oxygen bill receives mixed reception from industry. The House tri-committee bill doesn't include big oxygen provisions, but that doesn't mean oxygen suppliers can breathe easy. The bill does include some home medical equipment-related provisions, the American Association for Homecare points out. It would make some changes to oxygen cap periods, waive surety bond requirements for pharmacies with long-standing supplier numbers and good standing, and exempt some pharmacies from HME accreditation requirements. The bill also still includes a first-month purchase option provision for wheelchairs, but it is less stringent than the one included in last month's draft. Instead of eliminating the first-month purchase option for all wheelchairs, the legislation would eliminate it only for standard power wheelchairs, AAHomecare reports. "While we are pleased to see that Congress recognizes the purchase option is necessary, we maintain that it is necessary for all power wheelchairs," the trade group says. New legislation: [...]