AAHomecare challenges CMS on infusion

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 22, 2012—AAHomecare continues to challenge the product category composition for the competitive bidding recompete for the nine initial areas, specifically focused on the practicality of bidding external infusion pumps.

In an AAHomecare letter to CMS on May 26, the association argued that due to the specialized and service-intensive nature of home infusion therapy that can create patient safety concerns, the association requested that CMS exclude external infusion pumps from the recompete.

Unfortunately, CMS rejected AAHomecare’s request stating that the agency expects that a high percentage of suppliers awarded contractors under the program will be licensed and be able to furnish the full range of infusion items and services, including the drugs, without having to make arrangements with other suppliers.

AAHomecare’s Walter Gorski strongly disagrees. External infusion pumps and insulin infusion pumps are usually provided by different supplier types. External infusion pumps are typically provided by a licensed pharmacy that is providing both the pump and medication. Insulin pumps are usually provided by an HME supplier specializing in diabetes care.

Gorski stated that “No pharmacist is going to put his or her license on the line and dispense a prescription while allowing a separate HME supplier to program the infusion pump. Conversely, we do not believe that HME suppliers will immediately enter the infusion pharmacy marketplace to provide infusion pumps and dispense the compounded medication.”

AAHomecare is planning to discuss this issue further with CMS later this week. For more information, contact AAHomecare’s Walter Gorski at [email protected]. Also visit www.aahomecare.org.