On The Editor's Desk

It could be an interesting afternoon at HME News.

We just got word that CMS has scheduled a media call today at 4:15 p.m. Even though the advisory only says the agency will discuss the "next step" in competitive bidding, an official has confirmed the winning bidders will be discussed.

If you're like me, you're somewhat afraid to learn the results of today's elections.

I spoke with Chris Rea this week about becoming one of the first assistive technology professionals (ATPs) in the country to get RESNA's new seating and mobility specialist (SMS) certification.

I had no idea of the lightning that would strike when we wrote a story about the increased competition between independent and hospital-affiliated HME providers (HME News, October 2010).

There were rumblings throughout the industry last week and yesterday that Pete Cramton, a University of Maryland economist who has criticized CMS's competitive bidding program, was scheduled to meet with officials from the agency yesterday (Oct. 18).

CMS just posted a short update on competitive bidding to the CBIC website.

This just in from the Open Door Forum this afternoon:

Michael Keane, Division of DMEPOS Competitive Bidding, Chronic Care Policy Group

Simon Margolis at NRRTS sent out a bulletin this week announcing the clinical guest speaker at CELA 2011: Jean Minkel. Here's a Q&A with Minkel that will appear in the November issue of HME News.

NRRTS sent out a bulletin to its members this week that includes a video of Jenny Siegle's trip to Washington, D.C., as part of CELA. Siegle, a consumer advocate, is shown at her job as an associate producer at Altitude Sports in Colorado and on Capitol Hill in D.C.

The steering committee working on a separate benefit for complex rehab released a new "proposal paper" yesterday. Below is the group's release.