Medicare's competitive
bidding program for DMEPOS begins Jan. 1, and providers across
the nine Round 1 bidding areas are bracing for what most believe
will be difficult fallout from the drastic change in provision of
home medical equipment.
"With the CMS 'competitive' bidding program set to begin in
Round 1 metro areas as the clock strikes twelve this New Year's
Eve, seniors and other people in these locations who depend on home
medical equipment are likely to experience problems including
difficulties finding an equipment provider, delays in hospital
discharge or delivery of equipment and fewer equipment choices,"
according to the American Association for Homecare.
The association and other industry organizations are asking
providers, consumers, caregivers, physicians and other
discharge/referral sources to document any problems with the
bidding system through online forms and toll-free hotline
numbers.
Find AAHomecare's feedback resources at www.biddingfeedback.com or call toll-free
888/990-0499.
Report problems via the National Association of Independent
Medical Equipment Suppliers' (NAIMES) data collection website at
www.competitivebiddingconcerns.com.
Call the Accredited Medical Equipment Providers of America's
(AMEPA) competitive bidding hotline at 888/876-3369.
AMEPA has also tailored flyers for each CBA for distribution to
doctors and hospitals. The flyers include the 888/876-3369 number
and the phone numbers of each area's U.S. senators and how to reach
its U.S. representatives.
In Florida, Sen. Bill Nelson has set up a toll-free line to
monitor the bid program. Medicare beneficiaries and others can call
in at 888/671-4091.
Beneficiaries can also share their stories or contact
legislators through VGM's People for Quality Care website at
www.peopleforqualitycare.com or on its
target="_blank">Facebook page.
View more competitive bidding
stories.
