Support H.R. 3790 to Protect Patients and End “Competitive” Bidding for Home Medical EquipmentIssue
Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.) introduced H.R. 3790 to end the Medicare “competitive” bidding program for home medical equipment and services (HME) because the program is fatally flawed. The program encourages “suicide bidding,” using economic coercion by forcing providers to submit unsustainable bids necessary to win a contract. Although Congress delayed the implementation of the selective contracting program in 2008 to allow for needed changes, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ignored congressional intent and was not able or not willing to address the flaws that precipitated the congressionally mandated delay. H.R. 3790 protects patients’ access to medically required home medical equipment and services without raising Medicare spending. The American Association for Homecare (AAHomecare) urges support for H.R. 3790.
Congress Must Eliminate the Anti-Competitive Bidding Program:
H.R. 3790 Will Achieve Savings through Cost Offsets:
1) Reimbursement cuts were implemented in 2008 to pay for the bidding program delay:
• In 2008, HME payment rates were reduced by 9.5 percent nationwide for ALL providers to delay the botched program.
2) HR 3790 would cut HME reimbursements to offset elimination of the bidding program:
• In 2010, 2011, and 2012, the bill would eliminate the annual payment update (CPI-U) and
reduce payment rates for all HME items by 0.25 percent in each year.
• In 2014, the bill would eliminate the additional two percent increase in HME payment rates. All HME items would still receive the annual CPI-U update.
• In 2015, the bill would eliminate the annual CPI-U update for all HME items and reduce
payment rates for all HME items by 0.5 percent.
Congress Must Eliminate the Anti-Competitive Bidding Program:
1. It Sacrifices Care for Seniors and People with Disabilities. Competitive bidding restricts
access and choice for HME items and services.
2. The Program Is a Job Killer, and It Is Anti-Competitive. It reduces the number of competitors. Estimate 80,000 to 100,000 job losses; Dallas area will lose 2100 jobs.
3. Not Cost-Effective, Not a Solution for Health Care.The bidding program will
increase Medicare costs. It disrupts the continuum and coordination of care between doctors, discharge planners, patients, and HME providers.It will lead to longer, more expensive hospital stays and more physician office visits, nursing home admissions, and emergency room visits.
To fast track the process and move this bill forward we need 218 co – sponsor, we have 184 as of 3/19.
We need healthcare providers, beneficiaries and consumers to call their U.S. Representative and get them to support H.R. 3790, a budget – neutral bill to repeal the DME competitive bidding program. Visit this site to locate your Rep. http://capwiz.com/vgm/dbq/officials/
or call 202-224-3121 . You can call now or visit their district office during Easter recess.
Thank You
Tom Polston
Specialty Medical Sales Blog 