In brief: Do 'right' by HME, patients

WASHINGTON - The VGM Group last week encouraged providers and their patients to submit formal complaints about national competitive bidding with CMS. The Center for Regulatory Effectiveness (CRE) has identified three ways to do this: submit complaints by suppliers or individuals to the CMS competitive acquisition ombudsman; submit complaints by beneficiaries to the CMS Medicare beneficiary ombudsman; or submit complaints by beneficiaries to Medicare quality improvement organizations. Providers and their patients should provide a copy of their complaints to CRE, along with their permission to use them in discussions with CMS. "Do what is right for the industry and patient care and submit complaints," VGM stated in a bulletin. For more details, visit http://www.vgm.com/Files/manual/GovtRel/CREManualofDMEComplaintProcesses.pdf.



NCART challenges AARP

BUFFALO, N.Y. - In a letter last week, NCART urged the AARP to "correct the misperceptions" in its November editorial titled "The Case of the Expensive Wheelchair." The group made the following points in its letter: all power wheelchairs are not equal; this technology, when properly provided, plays a critical role in keeping people with disabilities active; product cost is only one component of total cost; and the solution to fraud and abuse isn't cutting access to products and services. View the editorial and NCART's response at http://bulletin.aarp.org/opinions/fromtheeditor/articles/from_the_editor_the_case_of_the_expensive_wheelchair.html.



NRRTS offers CELA details

TRINIDAD, Colo. - NRRTS last week released a preliminary program for its Continuing Education and Legislative Advocacy Conference (CELA). The conference, April 28-30 at the Holiday Inn Washington Dulles Airport, will feature numerous educational programs, visits to Capitol Hill, and a wine and cheese reception. NRRTS also released a scholarship application for consumers to attend the event.