Discussion Forum

From: Harrington Management Group

week ending September 21, 2012

by David Bargmann

There are weeks that I wish a blog didn’t need to be a summary. This week is certainly one of them!

Provider News On September 11, 2012, the Subcommittee on Healthcare and Technology held a hearing on “Medicare’s Durable Medical Equipment Competitive Bidding Program: How are Small Suppliers Faring?” Tennessee-based Lamberts educated followers on the entire proceeding via YouTube.

Lamberts HC ‏@LambertsHC Interested in last week’s Small Business hearing on Competitive Bidding? Watch it: http://fb.me/tzilujtU

Need a reason to celebrate? The President of Capital Healthcare Group … Continue Reading

From: Drug Store News

By Michael Johnsen

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Louisiana pharmacist Randy Mire testified before Congress Tuesday that efforts to combat the diabetes epidemic in his home state and elsewhere would be significantly undermined if independent community pharmacies like his are forced to stop offering diabetes testing supplies as a result of Medicare’s competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment, according to a National Community Pharmacists Association release.

Mire appeared on behalf of NCPA before the U.S. House Small Business Subcommittee on Healthcare and Technology.

“My pharmacy is one of the very few pharmacies still in the area that provides these essential DME … Continue Reading

CMS finally admitted today what DME suppliers and independent experts have long known, the agency’s bidding system for home medical equipment “is not an auction.”  The admission was made by Laurence Wilson, Director of CMS’ Chronic Care Policy Group in response to a question at a hearing by the House Small Business Committee’s Subcommittee on Healthcare and Technology, Medicare’s Durable Medical Equipment Competitive Bidding Program: How are Small Suppliers Faring?

In response, Dr. Peter Cramton of the University of Maryland who also testified at the hearing, noted that the term “competitive bidding” is synonymous with auction and that, because the law … Continue Reading

From: The House Committee on Small Business/Subcommittee on Healthcare and Technology

Medicare’s Durable Medical Equipment Competitive Bidding Program: How are Small Suppliers Faring?

On Tuesday, September 11, 2012, at 10:00 A.M. the Subcommittee on Healthcare and Technology will hold a hearing titled, Medicare’s Durable Medical Equipment Competitive Bidding Program: How are Small Suppliers Faring? The hearing will be held in Room 2360 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

For years, Medicare’s benefit for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies has been plagued by a fee schedule with high error rates and above-market costs for the Medicare program, beneficiaries and taxpayers.  In response, … Continue Reading

From: HME News

by: Theresa Flaherty

WASHINGTON – Expect to see Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., introduce a bill for the market-pricing program (MPP) soon after Congress reconvenes Sept. 10, industry stakeholders say.

“He’s indicated that he wants to move forward with the legislation since the congressional calendar is running short,” said Jay Witter, senior director of government affairs for AAHomecare.

Price indicated in late August that he was willing to take the lead on MPP, an alternative to the competitive bidding program. The bill is currently being drafted, and AAHomecare has been working with his office to line up a Democratic co-sponsor.