House bill would delay competitive DME bidding

The U.S. House of Representatives is currently considering a proposal introduced by Reps. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) and Dave Camp (R-Mich.) to delay implementation of the Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) competitive bidding program, which is currently scheduled to begin in 10 metropolitan areas on July 1. The Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Acquisition Reform Act of 2008 would delay implementation of the program, and among other things, make improvements to the bidding process and establish quality measures for DME suppliers in Medicare. The cost of the delay would be offset by a reduction in current DMEPOS payment rates. Additional features of the bill include: excluding physicians and other practitioners from DMEPOS accreditation requirements until CMS develops provider-specific standards and allowing physicians and other practitioners to supply "off-the-shelf orthotics" to their patients without being awarded a competitive bidding contract.
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Comments

[Dan Williams]

Competitive bidding is a big joke and the joke is on the older, disabled, or chronic health suffers. Let's take away their medical equipment such as oxygen or a hospital bed and make them go get a new provider. Do you think these people are able to seek such services? When these Medicare beneficiaries call you and ask what they are to do, give them a list of all the Senators and Congressmen along with their addresses and phone numbers. Tell them to call these lawmakers and ask them to find them a new DME provider before their current company comes and takes away their oxygen or their hospital bed in the next 10 days.