PAOC to Discuss Supplier Standards, Accreditation at September Meeting

BALTIMORE–Supplier standards and accreditation are expected to
be hot topics at the next meeting of the Program Advisory and
Oversight Committee. The 22-member panel, which is advising CMS on
the implementation of DME competitive bidding, will meet Sept.
26-27 in Baltimore.

Other items on the meeting agenda include 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 how the bidding program will impact
specific segments of the industry. Presentations from beneficiary
organizations and blood glucose systems are set for Sept. 26, and
presentations focusing on HME, respiratory equipment including
oxygen, rehabilitation equipment and assistive technology,
orthotics and prosthetics and enteral nutrition are scheduled on
Sept. 27, according to an agenda released by CMS last week.

“I see these panels as being a real opportunity for the
committee and the agency staff to dig deeper into these specific
areas to understand what impact competitive bidding will have,”
said PAOC member Jean Minkel, president of Minkel Consulting, New
Windsor, N.Y. “We feel like there are times that the agency looks
at DMEPOS as just one entity,” she explained, adding that it looks
like CMS “has done a really nice job [with the agenda] in
understanding that orthotics and prosthetics have a very different
service delivery model than oxygen therapy.”

The meeting also will feature a public Open Door conference call
that will include a presentation of CMS’ proposed supplier quality
standards and regulations, and time for public comment. Details on
how to participate in the Sept. 26 call have not yet been
announced.

The entire meeting, which is expected to run from 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. both days, is open to the public. Those who wish to
attend must register by e-mailing [email protected]
or writing Sean Dalenberg, Mailstop C5-08-27, 7500 Security Blvd.,
Baltimore, MD 21244. Each registrant must provide the following
information: name, telephone number, e-mail address, company name
and address. Fax transmissions will not be accepted, and
registrations must be received by 5 p.m. Sept. 16.

For more information on the PAOC and to view the meeting agenda,
click
here.