Stark bill would delay DMEPOS competitive bidding
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., is waiting on a Congressional Budget Office cost estimate before introducing a bill that would prevent CMS from making competitively bid-based payments in 10 regions for certain durable medical equipment and prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) beginning July 1, according to a House staffer. To offset the cost-savings that would be missed by delaying the competitive bidding program, the bill would cut the standard fee schedule amounts for the 10 participating product categories ("1The Gray Sheet" May 12, 2008, p. 17). DMEPOS suppliers and manufactures have pushed for a delay or outright cancellation of competitive bidding, charging that the first round of bidding was not transparent, unfair to small suppliers and too focused on price at the expense of safety and effectiveness