CMS Releases Updated Map for Round 1 Rebid and Round 2 Competitive Bidding Areas

Editor’s Note: The map discussed below is available at http://www.dmecompetitivebid.com/palmetto/cbic.nsf/CBAMap

From: CMS

Power Mobility Helps Ms. Wheelchair America Shine

Editor’s Note:  In the press release below, Josie Badger, Ms. Wheelchair America, discusses her concerns about how competitive bidding threatens patient quality of care.

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — Ensuring Power Mobility is Available for People Living with Disabilities

Most toddlers go from strollers to taking their first steps, but Josie Badger had a more complicated transition. Now 27, Badger recalls that she went from a stroller to her first wheelchair, beginning a lifelong dependence on medical equipment to provide her mobility.

“I just received a letter about competitive bidding meaning that small businesses are actually losing out . . . I would like to know what I could do to keep this from happening because we’ve been losing our small businesses here in this small town for last 15 years”

The following call was received on CRE’s DME Hotline: 1-800-613-7678:

“Good afternoon. I am calling because I get my [???] supplies, I have COPD, from a local distributor in a very small town called Pontotoc, Mississippi. I just received a letter about competitive bidding meaning that small businesses are actually losing out and I’m not sure what’s going on. ….I would like to know what I could do to keep this from happening because we’ve been losing our small businesses here in this small town for last 15 years but I have come back to live here.

NYT Needs to Talk with Medicare Beneficiaries

Editor’s Note:  In the following article, the New York Times claims that “The jury is still out on a new system of competitive bidding that Medicare” and cites the conflicting views of the Administration and DME suppliers.  The author of article neglected to talk with Medicare beneficiaries to learn their views about CMS’ not-so-competitive bidding program.  Benficiaries and their families have called CRE’ s DME Hotline (1-800-613-7678) to voice their vehement opposition to a broken competitive bidding program that takes away their choice and harms their quality of care.  Transcripts and original recordings of hundreds of calls to the Hotline may be found on our Discussion Forum.

Heard at the Summit: Start early, crunch numbers

From: HME News

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – It’s no accident that the HME News Business Summit was held here last week. Charlotte is, after all, a Round 1 competitive bidding area, something very much on the minds of the HME providers who attended the event.

The Summit, held Sept. 11-13 at the Marriott City Center, wasn’t all about competitive bidding, however. When attendees weren’t networking with fellow providers or enjoying the exhibits at the Levine Museum of the New South, they heard presentations about reducing hospital readmissions, the value of home care and the state of the industry.

Washington Is Tightening Its Grip On Medical Decision-Making

From: Forbes

One of the biggest fears Americans have about the expanding role of government in health care is that bureaucrats — not doctors and patients — will make decisions about what medical care they will, or more likely will not, get.

They should be afraid.  It’s happening now and getting worse.

Government already decides what treatments public programs like Medicare and Medicaid will pay for.  But government is getting more and more involved in micromanaging medical care, making sweeping decisions that can’t possibly take into account a patient’s unique needs.  This runs completely counter to the trend in medical practice toward personalized care.

“Unilateral health care decision making without integral physician involvement is symptomatic of our legislative process in Washington”

Editor’s Note:  In the following interview, a Professor of Surgery at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine discusses how CMS’ competitive bidding program may harm patient care.

From: Out of the Storm News

Q&A With Dr. Fred Eckhauser: Effects of CMS Competitive Bidding on Medical Technology

by Matthew Glans

CMS, DME, competitive bidding: A radioactive combination

From: FierceHealthFinance

By Ron Shinkman

Extension of Medicare bidding program: Social Media reactions

From: Health Care Finance News

 little over a week ago, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) reported on the extension of the competitive bidding program. The plan of action was created to help lower costs medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies. The plan also increases competition for suppliers, while controlling payment rates for medical equipment and supplies.

CMS has stated that round one of bidding has saved 35 percent of costs compared to the fee schedule. While the first phase of the program was implemented for nine product categories in nine cities January 1, 2011, the second phase will launch with new prices on July 1, 2013. 91 metropolitan areas are arranged to be included.

CMS Warns: Get Ready for DMEPOS Competitive Bidding

Editor’s Note:  The following information is from CMS.  The notice appears incomplete since it makes no mention of the harm that Round 2 would do to Medicare beneficiaries and their families, DME suppliers, and the economy which stands to lose tens of thousands of jobs from CMS’ ill-conceived and unsustainable plan which, despite the moniker “competitive bidding”  is neither competitive nor a true auction.