Editor’s Inbox

Oh, Man …

No sooner is the 36-month cap not even digested than [the president’s 2007 budget] would bring a 13-month cap on oxygen. The net effect [is] that the clock is ticking, and there may be just [a few] months left of reimbursement before we not only have a huge cut in cash flow but a net loss of all of our equipment, since the title will shift to the patient.

For the folks on oxygen, oh, man. They are on their own. This kills many a vendor plan as well, with lots of newer technology getting priced right out of the market. Net effect, the consumer gets junk and zero service.

I’ve got a number of years invested in my business as well as years being a respiratory therapist. It’s amazing to watch the meltdown of this part of the system.
— Bill Baker, RRT, president, RxO2 Inc., Tucson, Ariz.

Let’s Get Hobson-Tanner Rolling

I know that everyone’s attention is focused on the 36-month oxygen rental cap right now, but I don’t want the Hobson-Tanner bill to be lost in the shuffle. The small companies that are in the home care industry really need to get behind this [legislation]. It was introduced in July and we need at least 200 co-sponsors to get this thing rolling.

We need providers all over the country to contact their local representatives and get them involved. I think a huge problem is that people don’t want to take time away from running their business, [but] competitive bidding is coming, and this bill [would lessen] the blow to smaller providers.

You cannot afford to be on the outside looking in when competitive bidding comes to your town.
— Brennen Garry, senior operations manager, Unimed Medical, Olathe, Kan.

For information on the Hobson-Tanner bill (H.R. 3559), a list of current co-sponsors, talking points about the bill and a sample letter to congressmen in its support, visit the American Association for Homecare Web site at www.aahomecare.org. To learn more about Last Chance for Patient Choice, a 527 non-profit organization that plans to file a federal lawsuit against the competitive bidding provisions in the Medicare Modernization Act, visit www.lastchanceforpatients.org.

User-Friendly?

A recent article in HomeCare indicated that [many providers responding to a survey] will not apply for accreditation.

The remaining dealers who opt for accreditation will have a monopolistic advantage. The beneficiaries will pay a higher price. The beneficiaries will get poorer service. The beneficiaries will now have to travel greater distances. The remaining dealers will be in control. Fraud and abuse will rear its ugly head.

Solution: Make accreditation user-friendly. Private accrediting agencies should be eliminated. The government should supervise DME dealers since so much of the funds come from public taxation.
— Mandel Fogel, R.Ph., Ph.D., Oceanside, N.Y.

Of providers participating in HomeCare’s 2006 Forecast Survey (December 2005), 55 percent said they were not accredited. Of those, 37.9 percent said they did not plan to apply for accreditation in the next 12 months.

Bad News Travels Fast

First, I love the info you provide, but could we change [HomeCare Monday] to HomeCare Wednesday? Because really, do I want all this bad news Monday morning?
— Earle Gregory, operations manager, Canyonlands Medical, St. George, Utah

Send your comments to HomeCare, 6151 Powers Ferry Road, NW, Suite 200, Atlanta, GA 30339; or e-mail to HomeCare at [email protected]. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.