CMS official visits Missouri to discuss competitive bidding flaws

Jonathan Blum, deputy administrator and director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) visited Potosi, Mo., on May 21 to discuss problems related to providing HME goods and services through competitive bidding in rural Washington County.

Blum participated in a roundtable discussion, visited a rural pharmacy and spoke with HME providers, other health care professionals and Medicare beneficiaries. He heard concerns about patient access difficulties, cost-shifting, calls to 1-800-MEDICARE, audits, job losses and HME business closures.

The Competitive Bidding Program is intended for large metropolitan areas such as St Louis, but because of design flaws it is also being implemented in small rural counties such as Washington County.

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., urged Blum to visit the area, and the Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services (MAMES) provided crucial organizational assistance, as did Pat Naeger, executive vice president of Healthcare Equipment & Supplies Co.