Reduction in Suppliers Due to Competitive Bidding Affecting Access in Wake of Harvey

—Via AAHomecare, WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 7, 2017)—CMS and AAHomcare are both dedicated to instituting policies that protect beneficiary and supplier communities that have been affected by Hurricane Harvey. Last week, AAHomecare and several members of the Regulatory Council met with CMS regarding emergency and disaster related policies and procedures. AAHomecare took this opportunity to share what suppliers are experiencing in the areas affected by the hurricane and provided suggestions for CMS’s guidance.

AAHomecare stressed that guidance needs to be issued as soon as possible as suppliers are getting calls and beneficiaries are struggling to get needed equipment, accessories, supplies and repairs. In addition, the Association notes that the DMEPOS industry has had a 42 percent reduction in the number of suppliers throughout the country due to competitive bidding and the roll out of the competitive bidding pricing. We are at a juncture where there are fewer suppliers available to respond in these disasters, along with reimbursement rates that have proven to not cover suppliers’ costs, as noted in a recent Dobson DaVanzo study. Based on these additional considerations, CMS must review how disaster situations are covered by Medicare to allow dedicated suppliers to be able to assist Medicare beneficiaries in disasters and other emergency situations.

You can find CMS disaster relief Q&A with AAHomecare comments here and additional industry input related to Hurricane Harvey here.

Visit aahomecare.org for more information.