SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Providers
of home medical equipment and services across California are proposing a fiscally
responsible alternative to the mislabeled “competitive” bidding
scheme currently under way in Medicare that will actually
discourage competition, reduce access to care for many of California‘s 4.6 million Medicare
beneficiaries, and put thousands of California homecare providers out of
business.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently
announced that bidding in nine of the country’s largest
metropolitan areas could reduce spending in Medicare for home
medical equipment and services. But those alleged savings are the
result of “suicide bids” from providers in this ill-advised race to
the bottom that will put thousands of homecare providers out of
business and reduce patients’ access to care. Although Congress
delayed the implementation of the selective contracting program in
2008 to allow for needed changes, the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services ignored congressional intent and did not address
the flaws that precipitated the delay.
“The competitive bidding program will put new hurdles between
Medicare beneficiaries and essential products and services,” said
Esta Willman, owner of Medi-Source
Equipment and Supply, based in Yucca
Valley. “Patients will see their ability to choose a local,
familiar supplier for home medical equipment diminished, and may
face longer wait times for products to be delivered as suppliers
are forced to close locations and restrict delivery options.”
“Home-based care is by far the most cost-effective setting
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