A statement from Exeter, Penn.-based Pride Mobility Products Corp. says it has uncovered “potential problems” related to bids for the standard power chair category in the Riverside, Calif. Competitive bidding area.

The company says it has asked U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt to launch an investigation in regard to the concerns. In a letter from Pride Chairman and CEO Scott Meuser to Leavitt, it was noted that information was reported to pride “that 18 of the winning standard power wheelchair category bidders had all of the following in common: price, product supplier and consultant.  This information has been corroborated to us by multiple sources.”

The Meuser letter called for immediate action given the July, 1 implementation date.

Pride says that Riverside data reported by CMS shows that winning bids were 50 percent to 70 percent lower than the current Medicare allowable versus the national average of 25 percent.