* You are viewing the archive for October, 2010

From CRE’s DME Hotline: 1-800-613-7678 (Wenatchee, WA)

“Hi. … I wanted to call and let you know how disappointed I am that the new law for Medicare patients is not helping them have access to their medical equipment supplier due to competitive bidding which Congress has set is very disheartening. I went into this local store and they said ‘well, I’m sorry but we are in the process to change and we are not able to acknowledge patients that have Medicare and you have to pay the regular price.’ And he said that you are more than welcome … Continue Reading

From CRE’s DME Hotline: 1-800-613-7678 (Bowling Green, KY)

Next year I will be entering Medicare at this time. I am very angry, very upset with the way Medicare competitive bidding is taking place with medical equipment. I need a sleep machine. I have good access with a local provider, and to think I will have to go to a big box operation just is outrageous to me. Because I get older, I am sacrificed. I think it’s a terrible shame for my government to … Continue Reading

Tapping Academic Expertise: The Academic Community Has Made A Significant Contribution to Improving the CMS Competitive Bidding Program—More is Needed

CMS is about to implement an unprecedented program dealing with the provision of medical products and services to senior citizens on Medicare. The program is the CMS Competitive Bidding program for durable medical equipment, oxygen tanks, beds, and related medical supplies.Attached Files:

 

Members of the academic community who specialize in these “bidding” programs have advised the federal government that the program if implemented as presently designed will result in an increase in prices and decrease in services.

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From CRE’s DME Hotline: 1-800-613-7678 (White Lake, MI)

“I have had very very good experience with the current vendor for the home respiratory equipment and I think that was made possible because my doctor was able to refer me to the best equipment available. I didn’t care about the price at this point in time, I wanted the best equipment and my doctor was able to do that. If my doctor was only able to use whatever is the least expensive because that’s what the … Continue Reading

Problem with Medicare Provider

Describe complaint: On October 7, 2010 I called…to place my mother’s monthly order for COLONOSPY BAGS. Since June 2010, my mother has been received quantity of 50. The colonospy bags are a two piece items. Before June 2010, my mother was receiving a quantity of 30 bags and has both a prescription for the 30 a month and for the 50 a moth as well as a letter of MEDICAL NECESSITY.

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From CRE’s DME Hotline: 1-800-613-7678 (Layton, UT)

“Hi…I’m calling on behalf of my mother….  She’s a 92 year old widow lady and I’m having a problem with…. It seems that A, she’s already turned over to their collection agency, which is Alliance One. B, I changed the billing address for my mom to my address….. The problem that I have, they never send out statements. I’ve called 5 or 6 different offices and no one can tell me why I’m not getting statements. … Continue Reading

From CRE’s DME Hotline: 1-800-613-7678 (Avon, CT)

“I just received notice that there’ll be limits on my health care provider as far as my oxygen goes. I’m handicapped, I need someone to keep an eye on my machine to see if it’s working properly, my oxygen machine.  I think it’s ridiculous to attack handicapped people and older people at this stage of their life and panic them with these changes.  I don’t know where to go, I’m unable to travel very far.  I think it’s totally, totally ridiculous and I wish you would just do something different … Continue Reading