What kind of durable medical equipment and supplies are affected?
Under the new program, Medicare beneficiaries who need DME and related services must use only those vendors selected by CMS through the bidding process. No longer will people have a choice about where they go for supplies. Equipment that falls under the new program includes: • Power wheel chairs • Oxygen • Complex rehab wheel chairs • Mail order diabetic supplies • Enteral nutrients, equipment, and supplies • Hospital beds and related accessories • Respiratory assistance devices and continuous positive air pressure devices. What are the concerns with competitive bidding? United Spinal Association and other disability groups have five primary concerns with the new program: • Decreased quality of devices, products, and technologies. The new reimbursement rates will be a disincentive to suppliers to offer the highest quality of services and products. Medicare has said that it expects to lower reimbursement rates by 26 percent. A lower reimbursement rate will almost surely mean lower quali
