Medicare: What you don't know WILL make you sick Part 3

The most serious issue facing the home medical equipment industry right now is competitive bidding. In its current form, it will have a devastating effect on both medical equipment providers and their patients -- our parents, grandparents and other loved ones. A study commissioned by VGM concluded that CB will have a horrible effect on rural areas, which is the opposite of what CMS has been telling lawmakers and the medical equipment industry. This study, as well as some interviews with individuals who use HME and related services, is the basis for VGM TV's first show, "Medicare: What You Don't Know WILL Make You Sick." View Part 3 of Medicare: What you don' t know WILL make you sick to learn more about service access issues that could arise as a result of competitive bidding.

Medicare: What you don't know WILL make you sick Part 2

The most serious issue facing the home medical equipment industry right now is competitive bidding. In its current form, it will have a devastating effect on both medical equipment providers and their patients -- our parents, grandparents and other loved ones.

A study commissioned by VGM concluded that CB will have a horrible effect on rural areas, which is the opposite of what CMS has been telling lawmakers and the medical equipment industry.
This study, as well as some interviews with individuals who use HME and related services, is the basis for VGM TV’s first show, “Medicare: What You Don’t Know WILL Make You Sick."

Click here to view Part 2 and learn the potential impact Competitive Bidding could have on our rural communities.

Medicare: What you don't know WILL make you sick Part 1

 The most serious issue facing the home medical equipment industry right now is competitive bidding. In its current form, it will have a devastating effect on both medical equipment providers and their patients -- our parents, grandparents and other loved ones.  A study commissioned by VGM concluded that CB will have a horrible effect on rural areas, which is the opposite of what CMS has been telling lawmakers and the medical equipment  industry. This study, as well as some interviews with individuals who use HME and related services, is the basis for VGM TV's first show, "Medicare: What You Don't Know WILL Make You Sick," View part 1 of VGM TV's Medicare: What You Don't Know WILL Make You Sick.

Medicare Patient Responds to Orlando Sentinel

Medicare Patient Responds to Orlando Sentinel By Aaron Thomas Mike Thomas' recent column on Medicare's competitive bidding program for home equipment and services was biased and laden with problems. It is based upon the flawed premise that medical equipment and related services (oxygen therapy , wheelchairs, etc.) delivered to Medicare beneficiaries in their homes should be reimbursed based on what one would pay on the Internet or at a retailer for the equipment alone. As someone who has used a wheelchair since the age of 4 due to a form of muscular dystrophy , I can tell you that a power wheelchair, specifically fitted for my disability, cannot be acquired over the Internet. Even oxygen, as a regulated prescription drug, can't just be picked up at a local Walmart. Should a user who depends on supplemental oxygen to stay alive pick it up at Walmart, adjust the flow rate, and maintain this system, plus a back-up, on their own? Will Walmart provide emergency supplies of oxygen after a hurricane when the power's out? What some don't understand is that getting the cheapest reimbursement for a medically required device for home use is not in the patient's or taxpayer's best interest. Quality home medical equipment and services help keep seniors and people with disabilities safe and independent in the most cost-effective setting for care -their own homes. Medicare currently pays under $7 per day to provide oxygen therapy in the homes of people with lung disease or heart failure. Compare that to more than $7,000 on average that Medicare pays for a short hospital stay. Bottom line: quality equipment and services provided to Medicare beneficiaries in their homes is part of the answer -not the problem -to Medicare's financial crisis. This poorly designed Medicare bidding was implemented for two weeks in 2008. The program excluded 90 percent of local area providers, excluded qualified applications, and awarded contracts to unqualified providers with no experience in this area. Had the program continued, patient choice, access to care, and quality competition would have suffered. Unfortunately , the flaws in this program remain. It's due to resume in Orlando and Miami in 2011. There is no way to predict the detrimental impact on Florida beneficiaries. A bipartisan bill to repeal Medicare bidding is supported by 255 members of Congress and designed to be budget neutral. The bill would cut payments to home medical equipment to make up for the savings the bid program would have reaped -without dismantling the existing network of home medical providers. Aaron C. Bates lives in Orlando.

Medicare Patient Responds to Orlando Sentinal

Medicare Patient Responds to Orlando Sentinel
By Aaron Thomas

Mike Thomas' recent column on Medicare's competitive bidding program for home equipment and services was biased and laden with problems.



It is based upon the flawed premise that medical equipment and related services (oxygen therapy , wheelchairs, etc.) delivered to Medicare beneficiaries in their homes should be reimbursed based on what one would pay on the Internet or at a retailer for the equipment alone.

As someone who has used a wheelchair since the age of 4 due to a form of muscular dystrophy , I can tell you that a power wheelchair, specifically fitted for my disability, cannot be acquired over the Internet.

Even oxygen, as a regulated prescription drug, can't just be picked up at a local Walmart. Should a user who depends on supplemental oxygen to stay alive pick it up at Walmart, adjust the flow rate, and maintain this system, plus a back-up, on their own? Will Walmart provide emergency supplies of oxygen after a hurricane when the power's out?

What some don't understand is that getting the cheapest reimbursement for a medically required device for home use is not in the patient's or taxpayer's best interest. Quality home medical equipment and services help keep seniors and people with disabilities safe and independent in the most cost-effective setting for care -their own homes.

Medicare currently pays under $7 per day to provide oxygen therapy in the homes of people with lung disease or heart failure. Compare that to more than $7,000 on average that Medicare pays for a short hospital stay.

Bottom line: quality equipment and services provided to Medicare beneficiaries in their homes is part of the answer -not the problem -to Medicare's financial crisis.

This poorly designed Medicare bidding was implemented for two weeks in 2008. The program excluded 90 percent of local area providers, excluded qualified applications, and awarded contracts to unqualified providers with no experience in this area. Had the program continued, patient choice, access to care, and quality competition would have suffered.

Unfortunately , the flaws in this program remain. It's due to resume in Orlando and Miami in 2011. There is no way to predict the detrimental impact on Florida beneficiaries. A bipartisan bill to repeal Medicare bidding is supported by 255 members of Congress and designed to be budget neutral.

The bill would cut payments to home medical equipment to make up for the savings the bid program would have reaped -without dismantling the existing network of home medical providers.

Aaron C. Bates lives in Orlando.

Unsteady on your feet? Unable to walk for extended periods of time? A rollator may help...

We are contacted several times a day by patients looking for "a walker with the seat and the brakes". These walkers are referred to as rollators in the medical equipment industry. Here is a bit more general information about Rollators from rollator.org

There are various reasons why a person may need a rollator to assist them with mobilizing. A rollator is a device that supports a person who is walking. The rollator is pushed by its user while they are walking. The user keeps their hands on the rollator at all times while they walk so that they do not lose their support.

A wheelchair is a device for someone who cannot use their legs, while a rollator helps someone who can use their legs but needs support. People use a rollator for various reasons. Depending on the type of comfort a user seeks, if a person can walk, a rollator serves as a great device to assist them. Some people who have had strokes or other debilitating events happen to their bodies may use a rollator to assist them when walking. Not everyone who uses a rollator needs to have a handicap that prevents them from walking.

A rollator is also built in several different variations to accommodate the different users it may need to assist. A physician or a physical therapist will be able to recommend the appropriate type of rollator a patient may need to have in order to assist them properly.

Contact HMEprovider.com at 800-951-1213 to connect to a rollator specialist in your area.

The Uplift is Uplifting

For that extra oomph getting up, the Uplift Seat Assist converts any armchair into an automatic lifting chair — without latches, switches or special installation. Safely supports seated person with a stable, horizontal surface at all elevations — it won't thrust user forward! Waterproof, washable covers available! Click here to see how this item works or connect to a local dealer at 800-951-1213 or visit us at HMEprovider.com