An industry-wide data collection effort commissioned by the American Association for Homecare to study how competitive bidding is impacting patient access to HME is now live and taking data.
AAHomecare commissioned healthcare research group Dobson DaVanzo & Associates to carry out the survey, which collect perspectives from HME providers, Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers and hospital discharge planners and staff on how competitive bidding has impacted access to HME. Dobson DaVanzo will analyze survey results and develop a report on participants’ experiences.
Providers can take the survey at http://bit.ly/2uM8Rsx, as well as find links to beneficiary and caregiver surveys. AAHomecare underscored the importance of collecting beneficiary data in particular.
“… Securing beneficiary participation will likely be the most challenging part of the exercise, so we are still looking for more patients/caregivers to participate in particular,” a statement from the association read. “Considering the challenges some beneficiaries may face taking the survey online, Dobson DaVanzo will also be reaching these participants by phone for interviews, as needed. Since the recent reimbursement rates for rural providers also affects TRICARE beneficiaries, we also welcome patients in that group.”
Data collected by the survey could impact future HME regulations and legislation, so the goal is to collect enough responses in all the categories in order to provide credible results, according to AAHomecare.
The association recommended that providers wishing to take part in the survey, including helping to recruit patients, or discharge planners/case managers, should contact Ashley Plauche, AAHomecare manager of government affairs, at [email protected].
