Bill would tweak DME competitive bidding
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Bill filed by Michigan Democratic Rep. John Dingell would help preserve in-house durable medical equipment services already offered by hospitals by allowing them to be compensated, whether or not they submitted a bid or were awarded a DME contract, at the rate determined by the Medicare competitive bidding process. The bill (H.R. 6095), which was introduced Aug. 10, was discussed by Dingell and others during a Sept. 15 hearing on DME competitive bidding by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health. Dingell, who is chairman emeritus of the committee, has already received early support for the bill from organizations including the American Hospital Association. The hearing focused on the conception and implementation of the competitive bidding program, the implementation of the Round 1 re-bid and its potential effects on patients, providers and suppliers. Some legislators were encouraged by CMS testimony on how it has revised the program, but others continue to advocate ending competitive bidding in its current form, saying it will encourage systemic abuses, kill smaller DME distributors and hurt patient care. Home health care and medical product groups are among those who have been wary of the program 1("The Gray Sheet" July 12, 2010)