Mum's still the word at CMS

WASHINGTON - Industry stakeholders were still waiting for word from CMS at press time on Friday on how the agency plans to retroactively delay a second round of reimbursement cuts in non-competitive bidding areas.

The recently passed 21st Century Cures Act included a provision to retroactively delay the cuts from July 1, 2016, to Jan. 1, 2017.

When CMS had to delay its plans to apply bid pricing to accessories for complex power wheelchairs at the last-minute per a bill signed into law on Dec. 28, the agency didn't come out with guidance until the third week of January, points out Cara Bachenheimer, senior vice president of government relations for Invacare.

Stakeholders have argued that CMS should bear the responsibility of re-processing the claims over the six-month period.