Tomorrow

Invariably every couple of years, a touring company of “Annie” comes to town.

It’s hard not to be hopeful listening to the newest red-headed orphan belt out the venerable show tune that draws a crowd to the Broadway musical every time:

“The sun’ll come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there’ll be sun …

“Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya, Tomorrow! You’re always a day a-way!”

Tomorrow was exactly what providers were thinking about at Medtrade Spring. But they weren’t thinking in the same optimistic terms as Annie.

With prices for Round 1 of competitive bidding due out this month — CMS may have announced them by the time you read this — providers were anxious about their chances for survival, and emotions were running high.

As I was talking to one longtime HME owner about the situation, she began to cry. With tears streaming down her face, she said, “I’ve just realized I’ll have to close my business. I don’t think I can win a bid, and if I don’t, I won’t make it.”

As the reality of competitive bidding hits, it seems many others feel the same way.

The results of HomeCare’s May web poll, in fact, offer some sobering insights into providers’ plans for the future: More than a third of those participating don’t think they have one in HME.

While just over half said they have no plans to leave the business, the rest aren’t so sure. The numbers, though unscientific, are an unfortunate reminder of CMS’ projection that after competitive bidding is fully implemented, only half of DMEPOS providers will still be in the Medicare business.

“I know your poll results are disturbing, but they are not surprising,” Sean Schwinghammer, executive director of the Accredited Medical Equipment Providers of America, told Senior Editor Susanne Hopkins in an interview about the poll. He noted the level of frustration and discouragement that is pervading the industry, adding that a survey he did for AMEPA in November revealed much the same results as HomeCare’s.

“I personally called all the providers in greater Miami-Dade County and in Dallas, and nearly 50 percent were planning to no longer be involved in Medicare. Just about 48 percent were either getting out of the Medicare business or were out of the business,” he said. “My take on this is that your poll is reflective of what we found. People have just reached their limits.”

Wayne Stanfield, president and CEO of the National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers, also said he was not shocked by the poll results. “If we are unable to end competitive bidding in a sensible manner with H.R. 3790 before we reach the contracting stage, I think the number of those leaving the business is going to far exceed even these poll numbers,” he said.

Stanfield pointed out that unless Congress steps in once again, there won’t be anything to stop the juggernaut bidding program.

“We have one last, best hope,” he said. “If H.R. 3790 doesn’t end competitive bidding, the industry is going to change radically. [Competitive bidding] could collapse under its own problems, but unfortunately, there is going to be blood in the streets — and it’s going to be that of the beneficiaries and suppliers.”

If there has been no action on H.R. 3790 to repeal competitive bidding by the time you receive this magazine, I urge you to keep up the fight. Contact your representative if he or she has not signed on to cosponsor the bill, and ask House leadership to send the legislation to the floor. Do it for your business, your employees, your patients — and for your tomorrow.