2009: A Year of Big Stories
There were a lot of big stories about a lot of big challenges
for HME providers during 2009: the reprise of competitive bidding,
accreditation and surety bond
mandates, new oxygen payment rules and the PECOS, to name just
a few. Read ’em again and weep as you run down this list of the 10
most popular articles from the past year, compiled from
HomeCare, HomeCare Monday
and HomeCareMag.com.
The good news is many of the details in the fast-moving stories
on the list have changed — for example, a regulatory watchdog
group has launched an investigation of the accreditation program
and both the PECOS and consignment closet rules have been delayed
— so be sure to check the archives at HomeCareMag.com for updates and
outcomes. You can also look at growing opportunities outside of
Medicare, as providers participating in our 2009 Retail Survey (No.
7 on the list) told us they are doing.
As always, stay tuned as the impact of these issues and others
continues to unfold in 2010.
1. Providers
Add PECOS to the Worry Pile
The Medicare competitive bidding window may have opened Oct. 21,
but HME providers wanted to talk about the Medicare Provider
Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) during a CMS Open
Door Forum call. (HomeCareMag.com, Oct. 23, 2009)
Will you make the grade on new oxygen rules and regulations?
(HomeCare, March 2009)
3. CMS Changes
Consignment Closet Rules
On Aug. 7, CMS issued a change request transmittal on
consignment closet rules, and there are definitely some big
changes, according to health law attorney Jeff Baird. (HomeCare
Monday, Aug. 17, 2009)
4. Details
of the Medicare Home Oxygen Therapy Act
Introduced in the House of Representatives, the Medicare Home
Oxygen Therapy Act of 2009 (H.R. 3220) is a budget-neutral bill
that would reform the way Medicare pays for home oxygen items and
services. (HomeCare Monday, July 20, 2009)
5. Rep.
Meek: Repeal Competitive Bidding
Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Fla., introduced a bill in October to
repeal DMEPOS competitive bidding, offering a series of minor cuts
and a Consumer Price Index freeze as a “pay for” instead. The
provisions would replace the bidding process currently mandated by
Congress. (HomeCare Monday Special Alert, Oct. 13,
2009)
6. 2009 Salary
and Benefits Survey: Cold Comfort
It’s the classic good news-bad news situation for home medical
equipment providers: Salaries seem to be holding steady — but
that’s for employees who have kept their jobs. (HomeCare,
September 2009)
7. 2009 Retail Survey:
Open for (More) Business
“With the growing baby boomer population and less coverage from
insurance companies, the supply and demand is going to explode!”
That’s how one provider participating in HomeCare’s 2009
Retail Survey described the outlook for HME retail sales.
(HomeCare, April 2009)
8. Providers
Struggle with PECOS: ‘We Have Zero Control’
Jan. 4, 2010, is suddenly a very scary date for HME providers.
That’s when Medicare will stop paying claims unless the referring
physician is registered in the Medicare Provider Enrollment, Chain
and Ownership System (PECOS). (HomeCare Monday, Nov. 2,
2009)
9. City Medical ‘Not
Accredited,’ According to NSC
An Aug. 10 message from Rob Brant, owner of Miami-based City
Medical Services, holds a cautionary tale for HME providers: “If
your accreditation expired since your last re-enrollment, you’re
not accredited.” (HomeCareMag.com, Aug. 14, 2009)
10. Accreditation
Deadline Brings Action, Anxiety
Just hours before the implementation of mandatory DMEPOS
accreditation, the already chaotic situation exploded with actions
on the part of CMS, the Center for Regulatory Effectiveness and
even Congress itself that threw into question the deadline, onsite
surveys and indeed, the whole program. (HomeCareMag.com, Oct. 1,
2009)
We welcome your comments. Drop a line to HomeCare
Editor-in-Chief Gail Walker at [email protected].
For more industry news, features and the 2010
HomeCare Buyers’ Guide, visit our Web site at HomeCareMag.com.
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