Competitive Bidding


H.R. 5210 Skirting 100 Backers

The House PADME legislation now claims 97 co-sponsors; industry’s 30-day lobbying push continues.

CMS: Bidding Not Hurting Access to HME

Agency says data shows no outcomes changes due to bid expansion; AAHomecare’s Ryan calls report ‘mistaken extrapolation of data,’ urges providers to continue PADME push.

Legislative Conference Generated 225 Congressional Meetings

Providers, advocates attending last week’s Washington Legislative Conference urged lawmakers to support rural bid reform.

AAHomecare Calls for Final, 30-Day Advocacy Push

As July 1 cuts loom large, industry association urges providers to help lobby on behalf of S.2736 and H.R. 5210; three recent developments could bolster those efforts.

Report: Many Round Two Contract Suppliers Weren’t Licensed

New HHS OIG study affirms that multiple Round Two contract holders didn't have required state-level licenses, which could help industry's push to delay July 1 cuts.

High Stakes for HME on Capitol Hill

Optimism and realism color rural provider advocates’ opinions during last week’s Washington Legislative Conference visits.

AAHomecare: Coming Weeks Critical for Rural Relief

Association calls on providers to drive advocacy for House and Senate bid expansion reform bills.

VGM, Providers to Testify at Regulatory Fairness Hearings

Next step in grassroots push to speak before SBA will occur on May 16 at University of South Maine.

House Gets Rural Relief Bill

With the Washington Legislative Conference around the corner, House lawmakers introduce legislation that would reform bid expansion to protect rural access.

House Rural Relief Bill Likely to Drop Next Week

House should see companion to Senate legislation that aims to reform bid expansion and fix the bid ceiling; AAHomecare urges providers to keep up advocacy support.



Editor's Note

Lowered Expectations

Is one of competitive bidding's nasty unintended consequences the accidental establishment a 'class system' among Medicare beneficiaries?

CMS Awards Round Two Recompete Contracts

Announcement follows March release of SPAs; CMS executed 586 DMEPOS competitive bidding program contracts.

AAHomecare, Advocates Hit the Hill

Industry legislative experts have been meeting with legislators for a week to push for S. 2736 and rural bid expansion reform.

Reps. Blackburn, Ellmers to Speak at Washington Legislative Conference

Industry champions will share insights with attendees at May 25-26 industry advocacy event.

Industry Prepares for Fast-Approaching AAHomecare Washington Conference

At the top of the May 25-26 event’s agenda are efforts to drive support for legislation that would delay next round of national bid expansion cuts.

Senate Finance Committee Pushes for Expansion Delay

Leadership of key committee in upper chamber urge HHS to delay the July 1 round of cuts that will impact rural patients, providers.

Rural Bid Reform Garners More Support

S.2736 adds Sens. Stabenow, Lankford to pool of co-sponsors for reform of national bidding expansion.

Round Two Re-Compete Sees 7.1 Percent Overall Cut

AAHomecare analysis: Nearly every product category impacted by the re-compete suffered reimbursement cuts.

AAHomecare Outlines S.2736 Action Plan

Association calls on industry to help push legislation in Senate while priming House lawmakers to back nascent companion bill due in April.

Bidding Relief Bill Launched in Senate

Sens. Thune and Heitkamp introduce Patient Access to Durable Medical Equipment Act to delay national bid expansion’s July 1 reimbursement cuts.

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