ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich., Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Providers
of home medical equipment and services across Michigan 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 Michigan‘s 1.6 million Medicare
beneficiaries, and put thousands of homecare providers in the state
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.
“Competitive bidding sounds reasonable on the surface –
until you consider the practical effects this program will have on
patients, suppliers, and the future health of Medicare,” said Anthony Filippis, president and CEO
of Rochester Hills-based Wright
& Filippis, and chairman of the American Association for
Homecare (AAHomecare). “Only one in ten providers will be
awarded a bid, so nine out of ten providers will lose a significant
amount of business and income, while the ‘winning’ bidder will not
be able to survive at the bid rates that were necess
‘/>”/>