BALTIMORE--Providers who are not tapping into CMS' educational articles might be missing critical information that could help them do business better in the competitive bidding environment, according to Mark Higley, vice president of development for Waterloo, Iowa-based VGM Group.
On April 2, CMS launched a series of articles via its Medicare Learning Network. The MLN Matters articles focus on round one implementation of the bidding program and offer tips to providers who are involved.
“Personally, I am impressed by these initial articles,” said Higley, who for the past two months has been traversing the country for a series of VGM-sponsored competitive bidding seminars. He has heard providers' questions and concerns. “The material is presented in an articulate manner. It is not too lengthy or full of legalese … If Medicare continues to distribute the information to the provider community in a timely and straightforward manner, it will be one of the first instances in which CMS' implementation of the competitive bidding program appears appropriate.”
The educational campaign is scheduled to continue up to the implementation of round one on July 1.
The three articles released so far have provided helpful information, Higley said. He noted one of the articles, an overview on how competitive bidding might affect beneficiaries, gives a good summary of the grandfathering process and also contains some key clarifications.
“For example, many [providers] were under the impression that, as non-contract providers in a certain product category, they would be unable to service Medicare beneficiaries other than completing current rental agreements via the grandfathering procedures,” he said.
But according to the article, Higley said, “[providers] can continue to service some of their Medicare-eligible patients who wish to remain with the provider (outside of the scope of the grandfathering terms) via a cash transaction, an [advance beneficiary notice] and a waiver of the Medicare claim. This was somewhat of a revelation to many during our recent VGM competitive bidding seminars.”
Higley has also found value in the articles not only for providers in round one but also for future bidders. A third article introduces providers to the new IACS, or the CMS security system known as the Individuals Authorized Access to CMS Computer Services.
“As many [providers] in the first round are aware, dozens of potential bidders were locked out of the 2007 CBSS application process to obtain bidder numbers, user IDs and passwords due to problems associated with the data not matching certain fields on the provider's 855S forms,” Higley said. “This MLN Matters article clearly sets forth which staff members of the provider are eligible to access the system and bid.”
For example, according to the article, suppliers wishing to bid in round two must register in the IACS before the opening of the bidding window. Three user roles will be available:
1) Authorized Official (AO). Each supplier's organization will be allowed one AO. The AO role can approve all other users associated with their organization who are requesting access to the bidding system. The AO will be able to input bid data, approve Form A and certify Form B in the bidding system.
2) Backup Authorized Official (BAO). Each supplier organization will be allowed to designate one or more Backup Authorized Officials (BAOs). In this role, the BAO can approve the supplier's End User registration for access to the bidding system. Like the AO, the BAO can also input bid data, approve Form A and certify Form B in the bidding system.
3) End User. Each supplier organization will be allowed one or more End User(s). The End User can input bid data, but cannot approve Form A or certify Form B.
The article also “offers good tips to ensure there will not be an access rejection,” Higley said.
While he is impressed with the content of the materials, Higley said, he is concerned about providers' ability to access it.
“I remain concerned … that many in the home care community do not have the proper information as to accessing these Internet documents and that CMS may need additional distribution outlets,” he said. “I would also hope that, once the array of providers that have accepted contract offers is finalized, these companies will receive similar hard-copy documents or direct emails that are applicable to the round one procedures.”
Click the followng links for PDFs of all three MLN Matters articles:
Click here for Medlearn Matters article SE0805.
Click here for Medlearn Matters article SE0806.
Click here for Medlearn Matters article SE0811.
CMS has also created a fact sheet that providers can hand out to Medicare beneficiaries. Called “What You Should Know if You Need Medicare-Covered Equipment or Supplies,” the fact sheet is available by clicking here.