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News Release on 2020 OMEPA Conference

To the OMEPA Members,

The 2020 OMEPA annual conference was a huge success despite the difficulties that the year 2020 has brought to many of us. This year's OMEPA conference was conducted as a one-day conference and this year was moved to Tulsa for easy access to the providers in Eastern Oklahoma. The one-day conference was power packed with back to back events and covered the following topics:

1.      In person; Craig Douglas of VGM, presentation on Oklahoma Medicaid using a third-party payer, understanding the structures of existing contracts, predicting the revenue impact for 2021, how to use the VGM revenue tools for your business, and the process to assist you in HHS Prov. Relief funds for phase 3. See link for full presentation at the bottom of the page.

2.      In person; Mark J. Higley of VGM, presentation regarding the 50 states reopening under the COVID 19 virus conditions, address the taxation of the Relief Payments related to Congress intentions under the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program and your revenue deductible expenses, the receiving of your PPP loan and how we can defer payments and deposits of employees share of Social Security taxes and the forgiveness of the loan. Question regarding the employees asking if their past and any future “stimulus checks" will be taxable to them? The short answer is no, you will not owe income taxes on the cash and do not need to include it as part of your taxable income on your 2020 return. See link for full presentation at the bottom of the page.

3.      Virtual conference call; John Gallagher of VGM who planned to be at the meeting but was quarantined at the last minute. His presentation dealt with updates in Washington DC, ongoing Federal Lobbying Efforts, update on the letter signed by Congressional to HHS/CMS in requesting a delay to the Competitive Bidding program for one year or longer depending upon the duration of our national pandemic. A brief discussion regarding current reimbursement rates, and a demonstration on using available tools, such as SBA Business Smart Toolkit and closing with Fraud Eradication Awareness Team F.E.A.T. discussion. See link for full presentation at the bottom of the page.

4.      Virtual conference call; Angie Cooper with Medicare's presentation regarding the competitive bidding rates, discussion on face-to-face requirements and policy changes made during this national pandemic.

5.      Virtual conference call; Carmen Irwin with CMS OPOLE from the Dallas region office and her presentation was dealing with the national CMS contracts, State Leaders Council meetings and willingness to help providers with their billing problems. Larry Dalton passed out the minutes of their last Council meeting to the group. See link for full presentation at the bottom of the page.

All virtual conference calls were routed through Emily with VGM and presented in such a way that providers were able to interact with questions and view the presentation on a large screen in the conference room.

6.      OMEPA board members conducted their monthly board meeting with members and nonmembers to provide transparency for all Oklahoma providers. A leading topic was the discussion of requiring state license for all providers that that bill or patients to a third-party on medical equipment. This does not affect Dr. clinics, pharmacies, and O&P clinics. OMEPA has approached the Oklahoma Board of Pharmacy to oversee licensing. But first, this bill would require the Oklahoma's Legislative and the Governor's approval before implementing as a requirement. The board conducted a brief discussion on helping the Arkansas providers with their state association and was tabled for now.

Over the past year OMEPA secured a seat on the National Medicare Advisory Committee and nominated DeAnn Garrison as our representative and Jennifer Martin as our substitute to DeAnn. These ladies have done an outstanding job in representing our OMEPA and state DME providers. Any questions or problems that you may encounter around Medicare billing is recommended that you contact them to help gather data of the problems we are encountering in Oklahoma Medicare. 

It was announced the approval of two new vendor representatives that will serve as advisors to the board of 2021. Those two new vendors are pointed by their peers, that are members of OMEPA to serve one year as advisors to the board and the two representatives for 2021 are; Gary Duncan of Texas medical distributors and Jon Schultz of OxyGo. These two gentlemen will be replacing KC Cobb of Respironics and Bridget Roush of Revsuppliance and OMEPA would like to thank them for their outstanding work throughout the year of 2020 in serving OMEPA. It was also acknowledged that John Gallagher would be taking the place of Jay Kopriva as our VGM representative on the OMEPA board.

The board would like to thank Helen Woitchek, our OMEPA event coordinator with a special thanks to Jennifer Martin for the outstanding work they had done in preparing for this year's OMEPA conference.

Our OMEPA Platinum vendor member for 2020 is OxyGo and Ken Murphy gave a 15-minute presentation with the portability of oxygen and how we can keep our patients active.

The two-hour vendor show was an absolute success with over 17 vendors present. OMEPA honors and respects our vendors regardless whether or not they are a member not participating in our vendor show. This gives the providers the opportunity to see firsthand their equipment and discuss problems they may be having with the vendors. We thanked the vendors for their generosity in providing the box lunches for the conference and the open bar for the vendor show. 

The OMEPA Board respectfully request for comments regarding the location and the activity with this year's annual conference. You may submit your comments to Katie Roberts at [email protected] or Larry Dalton at [email protected].

Please begin the process of renewing your 2021 OMEPA membership by going to our website at www.OMEPAok.com. 

With your help we can become stronger and I personally thank you for allowing us to serve you.

Sincerely,

Larry Dalton

OMEPA President 

2020 OMEPA Annual Conference News Release!

Last week we had our 3rd OMEPA Annual Conference in Tulsa Oklahoma. The turnout was down a little as suspected, with the last-minute changes and challenges for our guest speakers and DME providers. But the conference was an overall success and was carried out in one of the most professional ways possible during our national pandemic crisis. We heard from Medicare, CMS Dallas Contract Office for Oklahoma, and topics with competitive bidding, new proposed rate structures, VGM Government Relations updates, AAHomecare updates, and the new proposed state's DME licenses. Victor Clay, who serves on the on OHCA advisory board for the OMEPA chair, address the conference with 30 minutes of OHCA events on the ongoing changes occurring in our state Medicaid programs. It was a powerpack day for our OMEPA conference of 2020. 

This year the OMEPA board members elected to have an open board meeting for all member and even non-members to attend and make comments in the OMEPA board meeting. The board wanted to be as transparent as possible to indicate that OMEPA is for all members to share alike. This was a huge success and allowed each member the opportunity to feel a-part in what is happening within our state's association. During this national pandemic of 2020, OMEPA board faced many challenges, but we all agreed that one of the most challenging events this year, was communicating by teleconferences with the state leaders and combat the OHCA ongoing state changes to our Medicaid programs and reimbursement rates. Later the OMEPA vendors got together and selected among themselves, two new vendors to serve as our 2021 OMEPA advisory board. These two new members for 2021 are; Gary Duncan with TMD and Jon Schultz with OxyGo. 

The OMEPA members work hard for each other. But later they have found themselves being pulled between non-paying members with questions and first-hand knowledge from OMEPA members, without any price for this information. OMEPA is an association for all Oklahoma DME providers, but is discouraged that a few of our state providers would rather sit on the sideline and let others bear the cost and work for those non-members setting on the sideline. We need “YOU," our Oklahoma DME providers to participate with OMEPA. We are stronger together and we will fall when divided! Please, join OMEPA 2021 today and don't stand on the sidelines. File out your OMEPA application for OMEPA 2021, by going to www.OMEPAok.com.

This year held many challenges for us, but for some of you it was a year of life-changing events. But if I may give a word of encouragement, that after every storm, the clouds will clear, the air becomes fresh and clean, the flowers begin to bloom, and the workers begin to plow their fields, for we become stronger through our challenges. 2021 holds a year of great opportunities and promises for our industry, and I pray that you will be there on the front line with us.

Respectfully,

Larry Dalton

Advanced Care Medical Equipment's COO

& OMEPA President

Office: 580-924-2626 | Mobile: 580-931-6226

Email: [email protected]

2020 OMEPA Conference

On Tuesday, September 29 we will conduct our 3^rd annual OMEPA conference at the Osage Casino Hotel, 951 West 36^th Street North in Tulsa Oklahoma. This will only be a one-day conference packed with information to help bring you into the new year of 2021. 

The year's conference is open to OMEPA members and non-members of the Oklahoma DME industry. Our speakers consist of Oklahoma US Sen. Lankford, Angie Cooper of Medicare, Craig Douglas, Ronda Buhrmester, Mark Higley, and John Gallagher from VGM, and a special representative speaker from CMS OPOLE. There will be an open OMEPA board meeting followed by our Vendor show. **Attached is the open board meeting agenda**

Many are concerned about the COVID 19 virus and their safety in attending this event. OMEPA has gone to great lengths to ensure your safety and to meet the CDC guidelines. OMEPA face masks and hand sanitizers will be issued at the conference door. Social distance will be provided with a large conference room that has adequate spacing to conduct a very large conference and for your safety, lunch will be provided by individual lunch bags. 

You do not want to miss this opportunity to hear the latest developments that are occurring in our DME industry and what to expect as we overcome these difficult times. You will hear information regarding the newest Medicare Competitive Bid rates, the latest developments to the Oklahoma Title 19 Waiver Program, Oklahoma's upcoming 2021 Medicaid changes and the status with the new Oklahoma DME license requirements. 

This year there will be a minimum $50 per person fee and you may register now by clicking here or by contacting Jennifer Martin at 580-924-2626, ext. 229. If you are a vendor and wish to participate, you may click here or contact Jennifer Martin to register for your conference booth.

OMEPA feels that in these difficult and trying times, we need each other's fellowship and the opportunity to socialize over our challenges. We can do this with good common sense and staying safe. I personally am looking forward to seeing you on September 29, 2020.



Sincerely,

Larry Dalton

OMEPA President