PAOC to Discuss Impact of Competitive Bidding, Quality Standards

BALTIMORE–After more than six months since its last meeting,
the Program Advisory and Oversight Committee is expected to
continue discussion of the possible effects of DME competitive
bidding when it meets again today and Tuesday.

The 22-member panel–charged with advising CMS on the
implementation of the government-mandated bidding program–has
quite a bit of ground to cover according to an agenda for the
two-day meeting, including the newly released supplier quality
standards (see story above), discussion of the impact competitive
bidding will have on consumers and rural areas, and results from
small-supplier focus groups held earlier this year.

The panel also will hear from stakeholders how the bidding
program might impact specific segments of the HME industry.
Presentations from beneficiary organizations and blood glucose
systems will be heard today, and presentations focusing on HME,
respiratory equipment including oxygen, rehabilitation equipment
and assistive technology, orthotics and prosthetics and enteral
nutrition are scheduled for Tuesday.

Competitive bidding for DME is mandated by the Medicare
Modernization Act to begin in 10 of the country’s largest
metropolitan areas in 2007 and expand to 80 cities in 2009. HHS has
the authority to expand the program elsewhere after that.

CMS is expected to publish a proposed rule shortly detailing
exactly how DME competitive bidding will be implemented.

For more information on the PAOC and to view the meeting agenda,
visit www.cms.hhs.gov/suppliers/dmepos/compbid/paoc.asp.