Miller-Meeks’ DMEPOS Relief Act of 2023 Passes Out of the Energy and Commerce Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed H.R. 5555, the “Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Relief Act of 2023,” out of committee. This legislation was introduced by U.S. Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-01) and Paul Tonko (NY-20) and aims to guarantee that durable medical equipment suppliers can provide their products at an affordable rate.

“The Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Relief Act of 2023 works to ensure that essential products like oxygen tanks, ankle orthotics, wheelchairs and walkers are available through local providers who provide education and support, not just delivery. Also, this legislation addresses supply chain issues and ensures that durable medical equipment is affordable and available for patients to use,” said Miller-Meeks. “I would like to thank my colleagues for their help in getting this bipartisan legislation through the Energy and Commerce Committee.”

“We must strengthen Medicare to provide high-quality care to our seniors, and this bill will support that goal. Rep. Miller-Meeks is a great advocate for seniors, and I am proud to support her legislation, the DMEPOS Relief Act,” said House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05).

“I was pleased to see Rep. Miller-Meeks’ Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Relief Act of 2023 pass out of the full Energy and Commerce Committee. It is crucial that we ensure seniors’ access to affordable and potentially life-saving medical equipment, especially for those in rural communities. I look forward to working with my House colleagues to bring this bill to the President’s desk and I thank Rep. Miller-Meeks for her strong leadership on this issue,” said House Energy and Commerce Committee Subcommittee on Health Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02).

Read the full text of the bill here. 

Watch Rep. Miller-Meeks’ remarks here.

Background:

• The “Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Relief Act of 2023” was introduced in September.
   
• This legislation would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for certain adjustments to Medicare payments for items of durable medical equipment that were formerly included in round 2021 of the DMEPOS competitive bidding program.
   
• This bill will provide for a 75/25 blended rate (a blend of the 75% current competitive bid rates and 25% unadjusted Medicare fee schedule rates) for non-rural, non-Competitive Bidding Areas through the end of 2024. This legislation will also provide for a 90/10 blended payment rate (90% competitive bid rates/10% unadjusted Medicare fee schedule rates) for former Competitive Bidding Areas (CBAs) until the end of 2024.  

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