AAHomecare responds to CMS Round 2 release

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 11, 2013— From Tyler J. Wilson, president of the American Association for Homecare: “With the release today of information about competitive bidding Round 2 contract suppliers, CMS continues to gloss over the structural problems in the bidding program. In its announcement, the agency spins a far from accurate picture regarding all the supposed positives for Medicare.

“While AAHomecare expects dedicated home medical equipment providers to give full service to Medicare beneficiaries in Round 2 areas, the bidding program has created a system that is likely to falter. Industry leaders and outside experts alike believe there will be unneeded hardship on beneficiaries and on homecare providers as Round 2 gets underway on July 1.

“Access to care and the quality of the care delivered will certainly suffer as most of the contract reimbursement rates are well below cost for the providers. As homecare businesses struggle under unsustainable payment rates, their ability to meet the needs of beneficiaries will be undermined.

“CMS should work with the homecare community to take an honest look at the problems in the bidding program and to fashion solutions that meet the needs of Medicare, beneficiaries, and the companies that provide home medical equipment.” Go online to www.aahomecare.com.