The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is seeking public comment in the process of moving toward national implementation of its competitive bidding system for durable medical equipment.
CMS has been rolling out the program—currently operating in 100 areas across the U.S.—gradually. It and has been met with strong opposition from home health care providers and others subject to the bidding process.
In its first two years of operation, however, the program has saved beneficiaries and taxpayers more than $400 million, CMS reports, and projects to save an additional $17.2 billion for beneficiaries and $25.8 billion Medicare over the next 10 years.
Now the agency is requesting comments from the public, those who have worked with the program and those who have benefited or struggled under it.
“Currently, competitive bidding is in effect for a national mail order program for diabetic testing supplies and for additional items in 100 areas across the country,” CMS explains in its request. “By 2016, Medicare must implement competitive bidding or competitive bidding pricing for included items to non-competitive bidding areas. CMS is soliciting public comment on the methodology it would use to comply with the statute when using competitive bidding pricing information to adjust payment amounts in non-competitive bidding areas.”
Additionally, CMS is seeking comments on ideas for the potential to simplify payment rules and enhance beneficiary access to items and services under the
Written by Elizabeth Ecker
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