AAHomecare: Round 2 prices wreak havoc

WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 14, 2013—Round 2 price cuts won’t go into effect until July 1, 2013, but they are already having ruinous effects on home care providers and patients throughout the country. “We’ve heard from scores of providers about the detrimental impact Round 2 prices will have on their patients and businesses,” according to AAHomecare’s Rachel Prager. “Across the board they are saying they will be forced to cut services, close locations and lay off workers.”

The prices, announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on January 30, amounted to an average cut of 45 percent for DME items in the 91 new metropolitan areas subject to the botched bidding program. In addition, diabetic testing supplies in the national mail-order program will be cut by an average of 72 percent.

“Patients who live in sparsely populated areas or are strictly homebound will have limited or no alternatives to receive the care upon which they depend,” Prager said. “CMS has displayed a lack of understanding of the needs of home care patients and the costs of running a business that provides critical patient care.”

AAHomecare needs to hear from you. The association is collecting stories to share with lawmakers on Capitol Hill that illustrate the effects of bidding even before the contracts are implemented. The more stories we collect, the stronger our message. E-mail [email protected]. Please indicate whether you’d be willing to allow AAHomecare to share your name, company and story with members of Congress, other government officials and the media.

Remember, the most compelling stories lawmakers hear are told by constituents. Copy your members of Congress on the email you send to [email protected] or call them directly. The Capitol Switchboard’s phone number is 202-224-3121. Also visit www.aahomecare.org.