American Lung Association Reacts to CMS Durable Medical Equipment Rule

Statement of Harold P. Wimmer, National President and CEO of the American Lung Association, in response to the release of the final rule pertaining to the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) and Fee Schedule Amounts by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services:

“The American Lung Association appreciates the continued acknowledgment and recognition from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the numerous problems experienced by patients who require supplemental oxygen, especially liquid oxygen.

“While CMS has taken a step in the right direction, we fear that patients will still not receive the appropriate modality or quantity of oxygen to meet their needs as the result of the Administration not using its full statutory authority to carve out liquid oxygen from competitive bidding.

“We will work closely with CMS during the first six months of 2019 to carefully monitor how patients are affected by this rule to ensure those individuals who require supplemental oxygen – especially liquid oxygen – are provided with this vital treatment.”

For media interested in speaking with an expert about this issue, contact Allison MacMunn at the American Lung Association at [email protected] or 312-801-7628.