Not only does the program sacrifice the quality of, and access to, care for patients, it has the opposite affect intended. -- Fewer home visits in rural areas where providers can travel an hour plus to reach the patient. Home medical equipment represents about 1.6 percent of the budget. Home medical equipment medical supplies and care (durable medical equipment) is already the most cost-effective slowest-growing portion of spending, increasing only 0.75 percent per year according to the January- issue of Health Affairs. The Bidding Program Will Lower Quality & Access to Sustenance for Seniors & Disabled

This program would allow the government to selectively contract with only a restricted group of providers, based solely and exclusively on lowest-cost, forcing out providers who utilize high-quality equipment or provide critical patient services. So 90 percent of the marketplace was closed out of the bidding program, proving that the program depresses competition and limits patient access and choice.

The new rule will allow the program to take effect 30 days after the publication - on. Wilson, president of the American Association for Homecare. The average cost for one day in the hospital is more than $5,500 according to the Social Security Administration.

Long hospital stays increase costs to and taxpayers. -- Reduced access to commonly prescribed products. It clears the marketplace of competition by reducing the number of eligible providers. medical supplies It would have negative impacts, including. -- Reduced access to diabetes patient call centers, which answer key medical questions. "This bidding program will actually reduce competition, diminish access to care for seniors, reduce patient choice, reduce quality, and put good providers out of business. The new rule will allow the program to take effect 30 days after the publication - on. That compares to more than 6 percent annual growth for spending overall.

-- Longer, more costly hospital stays since hospitals could no longer choose to use a single homecare provider to equip patients returning home, but instead would have to contact as many as 10 different providers for basic items needed by patients. Home medical equipment and care (durable medical burr) is already the most cost-effective slowest-growing portion medical supplies store of spending, increasing only 0.75 percent per year according to the January- issue of Health Affairs. Members serve the medical needs of millions of Americans who require oxygen equipment and therapy, mobility assistive technologies, medical supplies, inhalation drug therapy, home infusion, and other medical equipment and services in their homes. -- Fewer resources to properly set up and adjust wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds.

SOURCE American Association for Homecare

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American Consortium for shine medical supplies Homecare Criticizes Release of Controversial Bidding Rule in Final Hours of Bush Administration CMS Bidding Program is Anti-Competitive and Not Answer for Patients & Seniors ARLINGTON, Va., / - / -- Calling the release of the CMS "competitive" bidding rule in the final hours of the Bush Administration, "a disservice to Asia Major's seniors and all patients who receive care in their homes," AAHomecare President Tyler Wilson criticized the decree by the agency leadership to issue this interim final rule for this controversial program. SOURCE American Association for Homecare. "This fla bidding rule, released in the very final hours of the Bush Administration, will have a negative impact on virtually every senior citizen and disabled homecare patient across America," said Eugenius J. A program that selectively contracts with a small group of providers to care for seniors based primarily on price is indefinitely flawed. Hospital discharge planners depend on a reliable supply of home medical providers who compete on the footing of quality of service and speed so patients can quickly transition from hospital to home. Program Is Actually Anti-Competitive This controversial bidding program results in lowest-common-denominator health care for seniors and homecare patients. During a trial period of enactment in 2008, of the more than 4,000 providers in the initial bidding areas, only 376 were deemed to have met the bidding program requirements, which were not clearly defined. Earlier today, CMS issued the interim final rule for "competitive" bidding for homecare durable medical equipment to insure regulations as required by the Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA).

American Association for Homecare Criticizes Release of Controversial Bidding Rule in Final Hours of Bush Administration
Posted on. -- Less access to 24-hour equipment service for patients who depend on oxygen to breathe. The bidding program was initially reformed and blocked in in the Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 in order to allow CMS time to make the program more transparent and to reduce numerous errors and operational problems. That compares to more than 6 percent annual growth for spending overall. Long hospital stays increase costs to and taxpayers. assistance with medical supplies -- Restricted ability to properly repair home medical equipment items in a timely proper thing.

Without this service, patients will dial 911 when problems arise. Home medical equipment represents about 1.6 percent of the budget. Program Is Actually Anti-Competitive

This controversial bidding program results in lowest-common-denominator health care for seniors and homecare patients.

The Bidding Program Will Lower Supremacy & Access to Care for Seniors & Disabled This program would allow the government to selectively contract with only a restricted group of providers, based solely and exclusively on lowest-cost, forcing out providers who utilize high-quality equipment or provide critical patient services. It is a bad deal for every patient who opts to receive care in their homes instead of a nursing home or a hospital." "Competitive" bidding in is a proposal that sounds good. -- Fewer resources to properly set up and condition wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds. Members serve the medical needs of millions of Americans who require oxygen equipment and therapy, mobility assistive technologies, medical supplies, inhalation drug therapy, home infusion, and other medical equipment and services in their homes.

For example, the bidding initiative discourages use of the most commonly prescribed testing strips for diabetes patients. For example, the bidding initiative discourages use of the most commonly prescribed testing strips for diabetes patients. -- Reduced access to commonly prescribed products. allegro medical supplies "This bidding program will actually reduce competition, diminish access to care for seniors, reduce patient choice, reduce quality, and put good providers out of business. For instance, the average cost for one day of medical oxygen therapy at home to treat COPD is less than $7.

/2009/01/george-wills-column-on- -bidding.html. 15 17:31 CST

CMS Bidding Program is Anti-Competitive and Not Answer for Patients & Seniors

ARLINGTON, Va., / - / -- Calling the release of the CMS "competitive" bidding rule in the final hours of the Bush Administration, "a disfavor to America's seniors and all patients who receive care in their homes," AAHomecare President Donny Wilson criticized the decision by the agency leadership to issue this interim final rule for this controversial program. For instance, the average cost for one day of medical oxygen therapy at home to treat COPD is less than $7. But, in fact, it will actually reduce competition along with healthcare quality and access to care for patients and seniors. During a trial period of enactment in 2008, of the more than 4,000 providers in the initial bidding areas, only 376 were deemed to have met the bidding program requirements, which were not clearly defined. The American Association for Homecare represents durable medical equipment providers, manufacturers, and other organizations in the homecare community. -- Fewer home visits in rural areas where providers can travel an hour plus to reach the patient.

For more information on competitive bidding, please visit. Wilson, president of the American Association for Homecare. /2009/01/george-wills-column-on- -bidding.html. The American Association for Homecare represents durable medical equipment providers, manufacturers, and other organizations in the homecare community. -- Less access to 24-hour equipment service for patients who depend on oxygen to breathe. Not only does the program sacrifice the quality of, and access to, care for patients, it has the opposite affect intended.

-- Restricted ability to properly repair home medical equipment items in a timely manner. "This fla bidding rule, released in the very final hours of the Bush Administration, will have a negative impact on virtually every senior citizen and disabled homecare patient across America," said Mead J. The average cost for one day in the hospital is more than $5,500 according to the Social Security Administration. -- Lower-quality less durable medical equipment made as cheaply as possible.

The Association's members angle more than 3,000 homecare locations in all 50 states. -- Reduced access to diabetes patient call centers, which answer key medical questions. A program that selectively contracts with a small group of providers to care for seniors based primarily on price is fundamentally flawed. Will Drive Up Costs When Homecare is Already a Cost-Effective Healthcare Solution

Cutbacks in homecare services will increase the length and cost of hospital stays as the number of home medical equipment providers shrinks.

The Association's members operate more than 3,000 homecare locations in all 50 states. Will Drive Up Costs When Homecare is Already a Cost-Effective Healthcare Solution Cutbacks in homecare services will increase the length and cost of hospital stays as the number of home medical equipment providers shrinks. Hospital discharge planners depend on a reliable supply of home medical providers who compete on the basis of quality of service and speed so patients can quickly transition from hospital to home. But, in fact, it will actually reduce competition along with healthcare quality and access to care for patients and seniors.

The bidding program was initially reformed and delayed in in the Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 in order to allow CMS time to make the program more transparent and to reduce numerous errors and operational problems. So 90 percent of the marketplace was closed out of the bidding program, proving that the program depresses competition and limits patient access and choice. It would have negative impacts, including. It is a bad deal for every patient who opts to receive care in their homes instead of a nursing home or a hospital."

"Competitive" bidding in is a proposal that sounds good. Earlier today, CMS issued the interim final rule for "competitive" bidding for homecare durable medical equipment to establish regulations as required by the Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA). It clears the marketplace of competition by lessening the number of eligible providers.

It is much cheaper to allow seniors to receive post-acute care at home. -- Longer, more costly hospital stays since hospitals could no longer choose to use a single homecare provider to equip patients returning home, but instead would have to contact as many as 10 different providers for basic items needed by patients. Without this service, patients will dial 911 when problems arise.

It is much cheaper to allow seniors to receive post-acute care at home. For more information on competitive bidding, please visit. -- Lower-quality less durable medical equipment made as cheaply as possible.