HME Business

CMS has released two tip sheets for referral agents and grandfathered providers under its competitive bidding program.

The tip sheet for providers in the 10 CBAs of round one can access a tip sheet at CMS's competitive bidding site that describes the competitive bidding program and outlines the role they will play as someone who can assist Medicare patients in or traveling to CBAs prepare for the July 1 deadline. The deadline could force those patients to transition to a different provider (one that has a CMS contract under competitive bidding.

Likswise, the tip sheet for non-contract providers that want to learn how to become grandfathered providers is available from CMS's competitive bidding site. It includes a link to a sample beneficiary notice form that can be used to meet the recommended 30-day advance notification to beneficiaries regarding a suppliers decision to become (or not become) a grandfathered supplier.  CMS advises that suppliers should provide notification by Sunday, June 1,  to give adequate time should the beneficiary be forced or choose to transition to a contract supplier.

To access the tip sheets, go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/DMEPOSCompetitiveBid, click on the Provider Educational Products and Resources tab and scroll down to the "Downloads" section.