Tag: Contract Supplier
Will Round 2021 crack ‘bedrock’ of O&P care?
December 11, 2020Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – The majority of competitive bidding contracts for off-the-shelf back braces in Round 2021 went to less than two-dozen companies, including a few that haven't traditionally provided them direct to consumer.
Companies with contracts include Hangar, a national provider of O&P; Medline, a distributor; and Breg, a manufacturer, which all won contracts nationally. Other contracts went to regional providers,...
CMS announces contract suppliers
November 23, 2020HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - CMS on Nov. 21 announced the contract suppliers for off-the-shelf knee and back braces in the next step in Round 2021 of its competitive bidding program.
The agency announced on Oct. 27 that it had set the single payment amounts for the two product categories and had begun the contracting process.
The payment amounts for OTS knee and back braces are, on average, 30% to 35% below Medicare's current fee schedule, based on a preliminary analysis by the American Orthotic & Prosthetic...
Deja vu: Concerns resurface in Round 2 re-compete
April 29, 2016Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON - Industry stakeholders have begun the monumental task of analyzing the newest competitive bid contract suppliers.
“We're trying to get a feel for who won the most contracts in what product categories,” said Kim Brummett, vice president of regulatory affairs for AAHomecare.“One of the things we are looking at, since the pricing was lower, are they mostly the big nationals or are we still dealing with mom and pops that won hundreds of contracts.”
CMS named...
CMS awards 586 contracts in latest round of bidding
April 28, 2016HME News Staff
WASHINGTON - CMS named the contract suppliers for the Round 2 re-compete of competitive bidding at 5:02 p.m. on Thursday.
CMS says it has executed 586 contracts, 91% of those offered, for seven product categories. The contract providers have 2,200 locations to serve Medicare beneficiaries in competitive bidding areas.
The agency also awarded nine contracts, 100% of those offered, for diabetes supplies as part of its national mail-order program.
CMS says 92% of contract suppliers are...
Round 1 re-compete: Overcome cuts with volume and diversification, says contract supplier
December 27, 2013Leah Hoenen
MATTHEWS, N.C. - As Carolina's Home Medical Equipment prepared for the Jan. 1 implementation of the Round 1 re-compete, President and CEO Frank Trammell took a few minutes to tell HME News what his company has done to remain viable in the competitive bidding market.HME News: What did you learn from Round 1 that helped you in the re-compete? What worked and what didn't? How did you prepare for this round?Frank Trammell: Understanding how each line item is weighted and how it impacts the composite...
CMS briefs lawmakers on bid program
November 22, 2013Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON - CMS told lawmakers during a briefing on Nov. 18 that they're investigating reports that some contract suppliers are not servicing their entire bid areas.
Although the briefings were closed to the public, industry stakeholders heard that CMS told lawmakers it's using secret shoppers to see if contract suppliers are willing to service Medicare beneficiaries that are living in more rural areas.
“When that happens, they begin education,” said Seth Johnson, vice...
CMS names contract suppliers for Round 2
April 9, 2013HME News Staff
BALTIMORE - CMS proceeded with its competitive bidding program today by releasing the names of 799 contract suppliers for Round 2.
CMS awarded 13,126 contracts to 799 suppliers in 91 competitive bidding areas for certain HME. Additionally, it awarded contracts to 18 suppliers as part of its national mail-order program for diabetes supplies.
On July 1, these contract suppliers will begin providing DME at new payment amounts that are, on average, 45% below the current fee schedule for certain...
The competitive bidding chronicles
January 12, 2011Liz Beaulieu, Editor
It all started with an e-mail from one of our readers. It went something like this: Can't HME News help the industry collect and report on problems that will occur as a result of competitive bidding? The reader's idea: Identify a provider in each of the nine competitive bidding areas (CBAs) and check-in with that provider on a regular basis to see how the program unfolds.
It's a good idea, but it's a little more than three editors at HME News can handle. After all, competitive bidding isn't the only...