On Tuesday, September 11, 2012, at 10:00 A.M. the Subcommittee on Healthcare and Technology held a hearing titled, Medicare’s Durable Medical Equipment Competitive Bidding Program: How are Small Suppliers Faring? The hearing was held in Room 2360 of the Rayburn House Office Building.

For years, Medicare’s benefit for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies has been plagued by a fee schedule with high error rates and above-market costs for the Medicare program, beneficiaries and taxpayers.  In response, in 2003, Congress established a competitive bidding program designed to provide greater value while ensuring beneficiary access to supplies and satisfaction with them. 

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), in the first nine geographic areas, the program generated first year savings of about $202 million, or 42%, compared to costs expected under the fee schedule.  The health care law expanded the competitive bidding program to additional areas and product categories.  Many suppliers are small businesses, and CMS developed special considerations to assist small firms in winning contracts.  Approximately 51% of winning suppliers are small suppliers (defined by gross revenue of $3.5 million or less), exceeding CMS’s goal of 30%.  Still, some small businesses complain that the system favors large companies and they are at a competitive disadvantage.  The hearing examined the program to understand its impact on small suppliers.  

 

Opening Statement:

Chairwoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC)

Witnesses and Testimony:

Panel 1

Laurence D. Wilson, Director, Chronic Care Policy Group, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Baltimore, MD

• Testimony 
• Witness Disclosure

Panel 2

Peter Cramton, Ph.D., Professor of Economics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

• Testimony 
• Witness Disclosure

Tammy Zelenko, President/CEO, Advacare Home Services, Bridgeville, PA

• Testifying on behalf of the American Association for Home Care
• Testimony 
• Witness Disclosure

Randy Mire, Owner, Gem Drugs, Reserve, LA

• Testifying on behalf of National Community Pharmacists Association
• Testimony 
• Witness Disclosure

Additional Items:

Official Witness List

Official Hearing Notice

Official Hearing Memo

Press Release