Competitive Bidding Rates in Rural, Non-Bid Areas is Reckless

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 24, 2015)—Addressing CMS’s plan to apply competitive bidding-derived rates to non-competitive bidding areas, due to take effect in January 2016, remains a top priority for AAHomecare. 

Expanding the reach of Medicare bidding rates to rural areas—cutting prices by an average of 45 percent—will be a devastating development for home care providers and patients alike.

In light of this action by Medicare, Congressional representatives need to hear from every home medical equipment provider and every Medicare patient about the effects of this latest round of cuts on America’s home care infrastructure.

To that end, AAHomecare is urging providers everywhere—and especially those in rural areas—to tell Congress we need action to keep CMS from recklessly imposing bidding rates on providers without the benefit of the exclusive contracts or increased volume of business that bid winners receive to soften the blow of lower rates, especially given the increased costs associated with providing and servicing DME in rural areas.

AAHomecare urges you to make contact with your Congressional representatives during the upcoming recess/district work periods for both the House and Senate—June 29 through July 3 and July 31 through Sept. 4.  You can find information on your members of Congress via the Congressional directory in the AAHomecare Action Center.

AAHomecare also asks that you send a message to Congress on the issue here, and that you share that link with your colleagues and other HME stakeholders, as well.