Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/52926
News 4 HME NEWS / FEBRUARY 2012 / WWW.HMENEWS.COM LEGISLATIVE UPDATE HME industry gains time in bidding battle BY THERESA FLAHERTY, Managing Editor WASHINGTON – Congress gave the HME indus- try a Christmas present when it approved a two-month extension of a controversial payroll tax cut on Dec. 23. That gives the indus- try more time to lobby lawmakers to include its market pricing program (MPP), an alternative to competitive bidding, in a final package on the tax cut and "doc fix." Bachenheimer "Anything that gives us more time is a good thing," said Wayne Stan- field, president and CEO of NAIMES. The bid window for Round 2 of competitive bidding opens Jan. 30. But providers shouldn't look at that, or the bid window W. Stanfield closing on March 30, as the day any chance of getting MPP introduced dies. "I don't see Jan. 30 as a real deadline," said Cara Bachenheimer, senior vice president MPP SEE PAGE 6 PAOC fades to black Advisory committee wasn't given the chance to work as intended BY THERESA FLAHERTY, Managing Editor BALTIMORE – The Program Advisory and Oversight Committee (PAOC), quietly disbanded Dec. 31, and committee mem- bers had mixed feelings about its legacy. "I think there could have been much better opportunity between the (home medical equipment) industry and regula- tors on a program of this magnitude and importance," said Walt Gorski, vice presi- dent of government affairs for AAHomec- are and PAOC member. "I think many PAOC members felt their hands were tied in making rational recommendations." The 17-member PAOC, comprised of HME providers, physicians, manufacturers and consumers, originally formed under the Medicare Modernization Act to advise CMS on implementing the competitive bidding program. It was extended by two years—until Dec. 31, 2011—under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, which passed in July 2008. While the original intent of the PAOC was to advise CMS, in reality, the agency didn't make it easy. The biggest sticking point: a lack of transparency, especially once Round 1 kicked off. "CMS sees a lot of data that either sub- stantiates or refutes the criticisms that were made about the program," said Gor- ski. "I don't understand why they are not willing to show the results of what they are seeing." That lack of data, in turn, prevented PAOC SEE PAGE 10 Providers gear up to bid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Provider runs for state Senate seat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 NewsPoll: 2012, here we come ...................... 8 State news: North Carolina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 ■ Come to Capitol Hill, make connections, says AAHomecare's Tyler Wilson. See story page 10. Finally, compression your patients can wear With reasons ranging from limited mobility or dexterity to complaints about overall general comfort, many individuals struggle with donning or wanting to wear their compression garments every day. Core-Spun by Therafirm® socks, a patented innovation by Therafirm® gradient compression , are made with the unique technology of Core- Spun yarns for an ultra stretchy compression sock that is easier to put on and exceptionally comfortable. WHAT PHYSICIANS ARE SAYING: "I know that compression garments can be difficult for my patients to don themselves. Many openly admit they have not worn the garments when I visit with them at follow-up appointments. I am so pleased to have seen an increase in patient compliance since I started recommending Core-Spun by Therafirm." WHAT PATIENTS ARE SAYING: "I wanted to tell you about my experience with Core-Spun compression socks. It used to feel like you were putting a 100 pound leg in a 20 pound sock with other compression socks. They were impossible to get on and to pull them up. Core-Spun are much different, they stretch more, so they are much easier to get on. I'm so glad that someone told me about them. They are the BEST thing that happened to compression socks!" • Excellent margin for providers while affordable for patients • Available in Light, Mild, Moderate and Firm compression levels • Full calf and cushioned sole styles also available For more information or a Professional Trial Sample contact: 800.821.3094 • info@therafirm.com • therafirm.com