There is another round of competitive bidding going on for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) being implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
According to a recent article:
Competitive bidding: Medicare’s Competitive Bidding Program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) is an important step towards paying appropriately for medical items and services. The program will reduce out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare beneficiaries and save the Medicare program money while ensuring beneficiaries continue to receive quality products from accredited suppliers.
Proven Results
Competitive bidding for DMEPOS is proven to save money for taxpayers and Medicare beneficiaries while maintaining access to quality DMEPOS items and services. The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 required Medicare to test competitive bidding for DMEPOS items as a new way to set fees. Medicare implemented two demonstration projects in Polk County, Florida and San Antonio, Texas to determine if competitive bidding among suppliers would be successful in driving down costs to a fair market value while maintaining product quality. The demonstration projects showed that competition helps Medicare beneficiaries receive quality medical equipment and supplies at fair and reasonable prices. At the completion of the demonstration projects in 2002, Medicare found that:
I have talked to various DME suppliers and generally having one or two suppliers doesn’t make sense to them. “Service will be affected” I am told. According to the government test described above, this program will work. Medicare costs have to be reduced; the demand for Medicare will keep increasing as the boomers reach age 65. This will be interesting to follow.
Call A Caring Choice at (513) 574-4148 if your loved one needs help at home. Don’t wait; they deserve it.
Submitted by Jim Kummer – President at A Caring Choice, Inc.
MEDICARE ELIGIBILITY
Recently I was speaking with a referral source and she asked me “Is everyone 65 and over eligible for Medicare?”
Overview from the Medicare Website
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) administers Medicare, the nation’s largest health insurance program, which covers nearly 40 million Americans. Medicare is a Health Insurance Program for people age 65 or older, some disabled people under age 65, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant).
Generally, you are eligible for Medicare and Part A is paid for if you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment and you are 65 years or older and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
After reading further on the site, if you don’t meet the above conditions, you can still purchase a plan.
For more information visit: www.medicare.gov
Call A Caring Choice at (513) 574-4148 if your loved one needs help at home.