Discussion Forum

From: Zanesville Time-Recorder

I have more than 30 years experience as a respiratory therapist and as a manager of a durable medical equipment companies specializing in oxygen and respiratory therapy services in the Zanesville area.

A recent USA Today editorial about Medicare bidding competition painted a grossly unfair picture of our industry.

When I started working in home oxygen the equipment was very cumbersome, required considerably more service and was more costly than today. Also the market dictated that in order to get referrals from physicians the customers needed follow ups by a respiratory therapist. Even with all this, respiratory therapist proved … Continue Reading

From: USA Today/Opposing View

Tyler J. Wilson

In 2003, Congress required Medicare to ensure that medical equipment and supplies used by beneficiaries at home (known as “durable medical equipment,” or DME) are procured through a system that increases competition and achieves market-based prices, but doesn’t diminish quality. Unfortunately, Medicare has completely mismanaged the design and implementation of its bidding program for home oxygen equipment, power wheelchairs, diabetic supplies and other critical home medical products.

More than 240 economists, two dozen consumer groups, almost 200 members of Congress and the National Federation of … Continue Reading

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Medicare bidding program for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) is devastating small and large businesses in communities across the country. And Medicare beneficiaries—senior citizens and people living with disabilities—are being endangered because of delays in obtaining critical homecare equipment, such as oxygen therapy, power wheelchairs, and diabetic testing supplies.

Last month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an average cut of 45 percent in reimbursement rates for DME items when the dangerous and defective bidding program expands this summer to an additional 91 locations. Already, repercussions are being felt by the businesses that will … Continue Reading

By Terry Baynes

(Reuters) – A federal judge in Minnesota delivered a sharp rebuke to the government’s new competitive bidding program that affects who can supply certain medical equipment and how much they can be paid by Medicare.

U.S. District Judge Donovan Frank said in an order on Tuesday that while he lacked the authority to rule on the legality of the program, the government was ignoring the harm inflicted on people with disabilities.

“This is a sad day for those who believe that when a judge adheres, even-handedly, to his or her oath of office, justice will prevail and the public interest … Continue Reading