Massive Cuts to Medicare Home Oxygen Therapy Benefit Taking Effect January 1 Creating Acute Anxiety Among Beneficiary and Provider C...( Historically the home oxygen benefit ...),Health

Historically, the home oxygen benefit has been subject to repeated cuts. The implementation of the 36-month cap, enacted by Congress in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA), and the 9.5 percent cut, part of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Provider Act of 2008 (MIPPA), translate to a 27 percent, or $845 million, cut in 2009 alone. A recent analysis from Avalere Health "indicates that the average Medicare home oxygen payment by 2009 will be less than half of what it was in 1997."

The CQRC urges Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) officials to exercise the Secretary's authority to create reasonable post-cap policies, including payments for emergency and non-routine services and reimbursement for disposable supplies after 36 months. CMS should also reset the cap when a beneficiary moves out of his or her service area and requires a new provider. The CQRC asks policymakers to closely monitor the effects of these deep cuts on both beneficiaries and providers to ensure that patient access to essential home oxygen care is not compromised. Ultimately, the home oxygen community hopes to work with policymakers to develop thoughtful, comprehensive reforms of Medicare policies that protect patient access to quality oxygen care.

"We want all patients to have complete access to all services related to their home oxygen care, throughout their entire period of medical need," added Kelly. "With more than one quarter of home oxygen beneficiaries requiring oxygen for more than 36-months, the impact of the cap, coupled with the dramatic 9.5 percent cut, is going to resonate throughout the oxygen community. Although providers are working hard to prepare for the approaching payment changes, these cuts are simply unsustainable and may negatively impact beneficiary care."

The Council for Quality Respiratory Care is an alliance of the nation's leading home oxygen therapy providers and manufact
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