Meek Intros Bill to End NCB

H.R. 3790 calls for repeal of CMS’s competitive bidding program.

  • Oct 16, 2009
Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.) introduced a H.R. 3790, which calls for the repeal of CMS’s competitive bidding program for DMEPOS.

The bill, co-sponsored by a bipartisan group of 16 House members would amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to repeal CMS’s competitive bidding program. The bill would do so via a “budget neutral” stance by cutting reimbursements to home medical equipment providers in order to pay for the savings the bid program had been projected to save. However, at the same time, the Meek bill would help HME providers continue to bill Medicare, rather than get outbid and potentially go out of business.

The full text of the bill can be read at:
http://aahomecare.org/associations/3208/files/HR%203790%20Meek%20Competitive%20Bidding%20Repeal%20Bill%20Text%20101309.pdf

The bill’s co-sponsors included Jason Altmire (D-Pa.), John Boccieri (D-Ohio), Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.), Sam Farr (D-Calif.), Marcia L. Fudge (D-Ohio), Alcee Hastings (D-Fla.), Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Tex.), Ron Klein (D-Fla.), Dan Maffei (D-N.Y.), John Murtha (D-Pa.), Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), Heath Shuler (D-N.C.), Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.), Patrick Tiberi (R-Ohio), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), and Robert Wexler (D-Fla.).


Various organizations worked to develop the legislation and secure its co-sponsors, including, 
 the American Association for Homecare, the National Association of Independent Medical Equipment Suppliers, the Pennsylvania Association Of Medical Equipment Suppliers, the California Association of Medical Product Suppliers, Florida Alliance of Home Care Services, Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services, New York Medical Equipment Providers Association, North Carolina Association for Medical Equipment Services, Ohio Association of Medical Equipment Services, and the Texas Alliance of Home Care Services, as well as the VGM Group

“We understand the need to control costs in Medicare and the home medical equipment sector has seen more than its share of reimbursement cuts over the past 10 years,” said Tyler Wilson, president of AAHomecare. “However, this bidding program is designed to put most of the nation’s home medical equipment providers out of business even if they agree to new, lower reimbursement rates.”

Both AAHomecare and NAIMES called on providers to immediately contact their Representatives and call on them to co-sponsor H.R. 3790.



Comments

Tue, Oct 27, 2009 Chaz Yaqoot Redlands, CA.

I fully agree with Sandy Cooper's comments above. Medicare needs to develop check and balance systems that can weed out all fraud possibilities and eliminate dealers who are engaged in such practices. The best strategy for a Mom and Pop stores is to take the focus off the Medicare reimbursements and to promote their cash business by creative merchandizing and innovative marketing Ideas.

Wed, Oct 21, 2009 Snellville,Georgia

Competive bidding has not yet effected the Georgia area, However if it is setup in other area's it will not be long before it will be in georgia. Where I believe we should be cost efficent with our reimbursements we still need to keep in mind the medicare client that does not have the means to pay the cash and the small business that can not afford to give the product away. I to hope that this works and thank you for your hard work. Let's all unite together. When we unite together we can do it!

Mon, Oct 19, 2009 phyllis borgardt california

Home Medical Device companies have already been cut so severely. We have spent $$ on accreditation and the surity bond. We are needed by the seniors again to give many hours of free time. We do so because we believe we can help. However, the govenment does not see what we have given and continue to give as worthwhile. I hope this bill will give us all a little way to continue the work that we believe in. PLB (Mobility Therapy)

Mon, Oct 19, 2009 Ann Marie Lavares New Jersey

It would be helpful if we can have a pro-forma letter or email to be sent to our senators and congressmen/women.

Mon, Oct 19, 2009 AMEPA www.amepa.us

IF YOU ARE READING THIS, THEN PICK UP YOUR TELEPHONE AND CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN AND REQUEST THAT THEY PUT THEIR SIGNATURE ON HR 3790. THE COMMENTS ARE WONDERFUL, BUT YOU MUST ACT! TALKING ABOUT IT DOESN'T GET IT DONE. MAKE PHONE CALLS, SEND FAX BLASTS! PUT YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME

Mon, Oct 19, 2009 Sandy Cooper California

Thank you for working so hard in trying to help out the DME business. Medicare needs to stop worrying about competitive bidding and focus on the people committing fraud in our business.Bet they would locate millions of dollars if they would take the time to check.

Fri, Oct 16, 2009 LES KITTRELL NEW ORLEANS,LA

I HOPE IT WORKS OR ALL HME WILL BE SI BUNCH OF WALLMARTS AND PEPBOYS. MOST OF THIME THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE SELLING OR SERVICEING

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