Now that healthcare reform is law, questions have begun to arise about what it means to America's seniors. According to the bill, there could be up to $500 billion in cuts and reforms to the Medicare program. A sizeable portion of this is attributed to Medicare Advantage and prescription drugs, but some of it relates to the home medical products and services seniors need to carry out their activities of daily living and improve their quality of life.
Let's review a few of the provisions within the bill:
Changes to the Medicare Benefit for "Standard" Power Wheelchairs:
- "Standard" power wheelchairs represent a large majority of what seniors use to stay mobile within their home;
- Historically, Medicare beneficiaries had the option to purchase or rent their power wheelchairs; 95% of seniors typically purchased them due to long-term need;
- Starting January 1, 2011, Medicare beneficiaries will only have the option to rent the equipment over a 13-month period;
- Once the 13-month rental period is complete, the equipment supplier will transfer ownership to the beneficiary or user;
- Seniors will be billed thirteen times instead of once to satisfy their insurance co-pay for their power wheelchair;
Seniors already using a "standard" power wheelchair will not be affected by this policy change unless they need to replace their equipment.
The SCOOTER Store is committed to helping preserve your Medicare benefits. With the passage of this new law, it is probable that equipment providers can no longer afford to sell these important medical products. We remain confident that we will be able to help you and your loved ones for many years to come.
Medicare Competitive Bidding Program:
Congress made into law a program that requires certain Medicare products to be "bid" on by homecare providers. The goal of the program is to create savings back to the Medicare program by selecting a set number of "lowest bidders" in each city.
The new healthcare law accelerated this program and it will begin in January 2011 in the following nine cities:
- Cincinnati – Middletown (Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana)
- Cleveland – Elyria – Mentor (Ohio)
- Charlotte – Gastonia – Concord (North Carolina and South Carolina)
- Dallas – Fort Worth – Arlington (Texas)
- Kansas City (Missouri and Kansas)
- Miami – Fort Lauderdale – Miami Beach (Florida)
- Orlando (Florida)
- Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania)
- Riverside – San Bernardino – Ontario (California)
The bidding program will include the following product categories:
- Oxygen Supplies and Equipment
- Standard Power Wheelchairs, Scooters, and Related Accessories
- Complex Rehabilitative Power Wheelchairs and Related Accessories (Group 2)
- Mail-Order Diabetic Supplies
- Enteral Nutrients, Equipment and Supplies
- CPAP, RADs, and Related Supplies and Accessories
- Hospital Beds and Related Accessories
- Walkers and Related Accessories
- Support Surfaces(Group 2 mattresses and overlays) in Miami Starting in January 2013, the program will expand to an additional 91 cities.
What does this mean to you? In short, according to Medicare, it means lower co-pays. The SCOOTER Store has long been committed to ensuring that you pay fair market price for Medicare products and services. However, we are concerned that this program will reduce access to seniors who rely on these products and services in order to live with an improved quality of life while living in their own home. It is believed that many homecare providers will be forced to shut their doors.
Furthermore, the old saying "you get what you pay for" could be true starting in January. Winning companies could be forced to cut significant costs within their business which means they may offer subpar equipment.
We are committed to ensuring that this "bidding" program is done right, even if that means telling Congress to start over. Your healthcare is too important to offer out to the lowest bidder. That's why we are working with your member(s) of Congress to make sure they fully understand the short and long-term ramifications of this program.
If you have further questions about the Power Mobility Benefit and to learn more about whether a power chair or scooter may be right for you, please call our team at 1-800-391-7237 and we'll be sure to get you the information you need.
For more details, see:
