Medicare DME Competitive Bidding suspended

[zzzlessinMS]

All Medicare DEM Competitive Bidding contracts will expire Dec 31, 2018.  The program will be suspended until Dec 31, 2020.  So any DME provider who participates with Medicare can provide CPAP equipment.  No more DME contractors to mess with for a while.

https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fe...index.html

[Sleeprider]

Wow! That might blow up your No-Resmed DME protections. They have a much bigger pool to compete against.

[zzzlessinMS]

Likely why my DME delaying.  If they could delay until Jan. 1 they wouldn't be required to order.  We'll see if I get by Dec. 5.  If not, they have violated their contract and Medicare could withhold/delay all their rental payments for all patients with machines under rental contract .  Pretty sure that is why DAO was confident I would have my machine by Dec. 5.

[Hihowrya]

Just wondering if that would open up on-line purchases for Medicare recipients?  Conceivably, would/could on-line suppliers move to accept Medicare assignment? 

[Fats Drywaller]

Just wondering if that would open up on-line purchases for Medicare recipients?  Conceivably, would/could on-line suppliers move to accept Medicare assignment? 

It doesn't sound likely, because the amount of paperwork and bureaucratic nonsense just to get started must be tremendous. If you look at their web sites, the ones that aren't actually DMEs say that they can't bill insurance but will help you fill out the form to request reimbursement from your insurer after you have paid, assuming that your insurer has approved your use of the out-of-network supplier. I doubt that that would change.

[zzzlessinMS]

Possibe but not likely.  Both the Medicare regulations for DME 13-month lease on machines, face-to-face instruction and low reimbursement would be a problem.  Also staffing requirements to do Medicare coding and billing not something mortarless business want to mess with. 

There are Medicare providers that do mail order supplies (not online).  I have used a DME over for past 4-5 years under competitive bidding and have been very pleased with their service.  Will likely stay with them during the 2-year suspension.