AAH: Survey diabetes patients
By Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
Updated Tue June 22, 2010
ARLINGTON, Va. - CMS needs to collect data from beneficiaries with diabetes if it wants a fair and comprehensive evaluation of the impact that competitive bidding will have on all beneficiaries, AAHomecare said in comments submitted May 3.
The comments are in response to a notice published April 2 in the Federal Register which cited the data collection tools, including surveys and interview/discussion groups guides that will be used to assess the program's impact. While consumer surveys have been developed for oxygen, walkers, beds, CPAP and power mobility equipment, there are none for diabetes.
"Part of the requirement in looking at this program is to get feedback from all consumer surveys in order to get better ideas of access and how consumers are being impacted in this program," said Alex Bennewith, senior manager of government affairs for AAHomecare.
The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 requires a report to Congress in 2011 on the competitive bidding program, including program savings, reductions in cost sharing, access, quality of goods and services, and beneficiary satisfaction.
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