Well you read about it first here on TCPAWorld.
Just moments ago Queenie delivered the news that CMS has provided its final 2024 rule and–guess what– the CRITICAL proposal to ban TPMOs from sharing beneficiary information with one another was NOT included in the new rule. (At least not yet anyway.)
BOOYAH.
You will recall that R.E.A.C.H. took action to prevent the TPMO ruling from advancing, while it supported other parts of the bill.
The R.E.A.C.H. comment–widely regarded as powerful, direct and impactful–was submitted amidst a chorus of other voices suggesting the proposal would go to far.
MUST READ: R.E.A.C.H. Comment Opposing CMS’ Proposed Rule– “The End of How Many Family Businesses?”
As R.E.A.C.H. wrote on the subject:
Adopting a rule that prevents TPMOs from working with each other, assures that all of the small players are dead. They cannot offer services to beneficiaries when they have no connection to any company that can assist those beneficiaries directly. So the small companies cease operation.
And a business is not just a place where people work. It is a dream that someone turned into reality. Every business takes investment of time, money, and self. No government entity or regulator should carelessly end such a dream or lay such investment to waste without compelling reason—especially where, as here, it is being done without any form of due process.
The companies to be put out of business have not been found to have engaged in illegal activity. Yet, it seems, CMS has found all guilty by association. Because some in their midst have sinned, a collective death penalty is to be issued.
R.E.A.C.H. urges CMS to recognize the impact of its Rule and course correct. There is a better way.
For now, at least, these comments appear to have found their mark. As Queenie just reported:
“We are not addressing our proposal to prohibit TPMOs from distributing beneficiary contact information in this final rule and may address it in a future final rule
So the TPMO piece may or may not be dead, but it is currently on ICE.
Too early for a complete victory lap, but definitely time to take stock of the great work of the R.E.A.C.H. board and the fantastic advocacy of the Countess and Queenie–who carried the torch for the industry on this one.
But there is much more work to be done. The FCC’s NPRM proceeding is still on going. Obviously R.E.A.C.H. is here for it.
PLEASE look to do YOUR part here–join the POWERFUL and COMPLIANT brands that form R.E.A.C.H. and count yourself among the RESPONSIBLE enterprises fighting against consumer abuse AND governmental overreach.
contact jenniffer@troutmanfirm.com for information!