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In-pharmacy Diabetic Sellers: The Handwriting on the Wall is Clear–Too Clear!
Editor’s Note: For several years, CRE has been advising In-pharmacy sellers of diabetic supplies that the initiation of the CMS competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment was aimed at their products. After numerous discussions, most sellers adopted a let’s join a coalition and we will work it out strategy. Thoughtful discussions and considered strategy have little impact without a strong regulatory intervention when dealing with an agency such as CMS who does not act on the facts.
In the intervening time period CMS has now been able to promote its unsustainable program as a major contributor to budget reduction. The following article states: “The CMS Office of the Actuary estimates that the bidding program will save the Medicare Part B Trust Fund $25.7 billion and beneficiaries $17.1 billion between 2013 and 2022. “
Nephrology News
CMS to launch mail-order diabetes supply program
Medicare beneficiaries will save an average of 72% on diabetic testing supplies under a national mail-order program going into effect in July with phase 2 of the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment, the agency said in a statement. The program will expand to 91 metropolitan areas. The CMS Office of the Actuary estimates that the bidding program will save the Medicare Part B Trust Fund $25.7 billion and beneficiaries $17.1 billion between 2013 and 2022.Medicare’s competitive bidding program replaces its existing fee schedule amounts in selected areas with prices based on suppliers’ bids. Small businesses represent more than half of the winning suppliers, CMS said. In its first year of operation in the nine areas of the country where the program is currently operating, competitive bidding saved Medicare approximately $202.1 million, the agency said.
A full list of the new prices is available at www.dmecompetitivebid.com.
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