Lincare Holdings, Clearwater, Fla., has accepted contracts with Medicare to provide oxygen equipment in two of the nine initial markets impacted by competitive bidding, specifically Charlotte, N.C., and Miami. This news comes at the same time the company announced better-than-expected quarterly earnings.
Action against the competitive bidding program continued on Friday as protesters appeared at a fraud conference in Miami and the American Association for Homecare delivered a letter to top congressional leaders in Washington, D.C.
Rotech Healthcare, Orlando, Fla., has accepted 17 contracts awarded by CMS in the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program, including six contracts for oxygen and three for CPAP.
Reactions ran the gamut in the days following the announcement of the single payment amounts in the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program. Most were devastated about the impact the slashed rates will have on Medicare patients and small businesses around the nation. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking down on accepting the contract offers; providers are to respond by Friday, July 16. This story collects news about the deep cuts, the impact on Lincare stock, actions in Pennsylvania and the push for H.R. 3790.
The winning competitive bid amounts are out, but where can you get help sorting out what they mean to your business and the industry in general? Two top buying groups are offering the education you need, via webinars and in-person seminars.
Confirming the industry’s widespread concern that the cuts would be deep, the bids represent an average 32 percent reduction in Medicare payment rates across different product categories, including oxygen and sleep therapy.
It is important for DME companies to understand how and when payments for DME and supplies can be affected when patients are also being attended by home health agencies.
- By Kelly Riley
- Jul 01, 2010
CMS issued in late June a proposed rule that changes payment policy for beneficiaries who have not reached the 36-month rental cap. The oxygen provider who receives payment in the 18th rental month or later must continue to furnish the equipment for the period of medical necessity or through the useful life of the equipment, which CMS has defined as five years.
Much to providers' collective chagrin, the next milestone in the national competitive bidding program may only be days away, according to published reports.
Throughout July and August, Waterloo, Iowa-based VGM National Competitive Bidding Services will co-host a series of full-day seminars with state associations, titled "Contracting Time Is Here: Do You Know Your Game Plan?"
Companies must be in compliance with the Federal Trade Commission Red Flags Rule by the June 1, 2010, implementation date.
- By Kelly Riley
- Jun 01, 2010
Here's an easy way to help your company collect co-pays without pressure that’s integrated in your process of providing care.
The American Association for Homecare was busy at Medtrade Spring. It held a variety of meetings with its component boards, hosted a fundraiser for the Stand Up for Homecare media campaign and invited show attendees to a Washington Update. Further, it elected new leadership and debuted an ethics code.
Originating from the AAHomecare HME/RT Council, the CPAP task force that will examine ways to relieve excessive administrative burdens on providers.
Quite simply, with competitive bidding, the future of your business is on the line. So unless you feel like enduring a forced career change, act now. Access the lobbying resource materials and then get busy with calls, letters and e-mails to your elected officials.
- By Janis Rizzuto
- May 01, 2010
Compliance with the DMEPOS Quality Standards may have fallen off the radar screen at your organization. But your company should be able to demonstrate compliance.
- By Kelly Riley
- May 01, 2010
Sleep therapy providers have to clear even higher hurdles as of April 1 for those patients who are upgrading to bilevel devices.
Who doesn’t love that Yogi Berra quote? I had that feeling in spades this month as I took over the editor post for Respiratory & Sleep Management. It’s been just about 12 years since I last wrote an editor’s note in a magazine for home medical equipment providers.
- By Janis Rizzuto
- Apr 01, 2010
In geographic areas where Zone Program Integrity Contractors (ZPIC) have been named, suppliers are spending hours (often resulting in overtime costs) chasing documents to respond to inquiries.
- By Kelly Riley
- Apr 01, 2010
Ending months of strenuous debate, the House of Representatives approved a sweeping overhaul of the health care system late Sunday night, with a historic vote of 219 in support and 212 opposed. The bill includes various provisions that negatively impact the home medical equipment industry.
- By David Kopf
- Mar 22, 2010