Tag: Competitive Bidding
Small supplier networks face steep hurdles in next bid round
June 12, 2026Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – There may be strength in numbers, but the logistics of smaller suppliers submitting bids as part of a network in the next round of Medicare’s competitive bidding program (CBP) may be too prohibitive, says health care attorney Jeff Baird.
In the next round of CBP, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will implement a nationwide Remote Item Delivery (RID) program that effectively shuts out smaller, independent suppliers.
“The goal of CMS that at...
In brief: WOY named, SBA listening session, CMS Medicaid expenditures
June 10, 2026HME News Staff
WATERLOO, Iowa — Lisa Wells has been named 2026 HME Woman of the Year.
Wells, senior vice president of Med-South, was honored during a special ceremony at the VGM Heartland Conference.
“Lisa represents the very best of our industry,” said Jeremy Stolz, CEO of VGM Group, Inc. “Her commitment to patient care, her influence in advancing policy and best practices, and the way she invests in developing others make her an outstanding leader and a truly deserving recipient...
Stakeholders look to Congress to pressure CMS on competitive bidding
May 22, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
WASHINGTON – Stakeholders urged members of the House Committee on Small Business during a recent Hill day to hold the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) accountable for a new remote-item delivery (RID) framework for competitive bidding that they say will decimate small businesses.
Ahead of the fly-in, stakeholders have also been engaging the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to raise similar concerns.
“We had a good meeting with committee members and they said,...
Stakeholders make case to CMS Administrator Oz on bid program, moratorium
May 1, 2026Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
WASHINGTON – Industry stakeholders left a recent meeting with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz buoyed by his “willingness” to work with the home medical equipment (HME) industry on a host of concerns.
The 35-minute meeting, which also included Deputy Administrator Kim Brandt, was the first between AAHomecare leadership and Oz.
“We’ve been working hard to engage CMS and the Administration ever since the proposed rule came...
AAHomecare meets with high-level CMS officials
April 30, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – The leadership at AAHomecare – including providers Josh Marx and David Siegel – met with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz and Deputy Administrator Kim Brandt recently to discuss strengthening the competitive bidding program and clarifying the moratorium on new supplier enrollments.
AAHomecare stated in a recent bulletin:
Officials have signaled concern for Medicare fraud, waste and abuse and expressed interest in leveraging...
CMS misses mark for CGMs, insulin pumps
April 24, 2026Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – Including continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps in the next round of Medicare’s competitive bidding program overlooks how they are used and will not result in savings to the Medicare program, providers say.
Bundled CGM payments shift upfront costs and risk to suppliers
Currently, Medicare typically pays a one-time amount for CGM receivers, along with a monthly allowance for sensors, transmitters and other disposable supplies. Under the next round...
Medtrade brings the buzz - now the industry must bring the action
March 31, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
The heat outside Medtrade in Phoenix this year – intense, even by local standards – had a certain symmetry with what was happening inside the Convention Center. The industry’s challenges are very real, very present, and yes, very “hot,” but they seemed to thaw under a positive buzz on the show floor.
And let’s be clear: There’s plenty to worry about in DME right now.
• The freeze on new Medicare enrollments.
• Benefits...
Moratorium fallout: Providers fear growth stagnation, bid setbacks
March 20, 2026Liz Beaulieu, Editor
YARMOUTH, Maine – A six‑month, nationwide moratorium on new Medicare enrollments for DMEPOS providers is expected to have the biggest impact on growth plans, according to 31% of respondents to a recent HME Newspoll.
The moratorium, which began in late February, prevents existing providers from opening new locations with new Medicare PTANs, effectively halting expansion efforts for many.
“I understand the direction, as the industry did it to themselves,” wrote one respondent....
In brief: AAH’s call to action, DreamStation’s new designation, CMS’s new ABN
March 20, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – AAHomecare is urging providers to build support for the DIABETES Act (S. 4037), which, among other things, would delay Medicare competitive bidding for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps for five years.
The bill, which was introduced March 12 by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, would also expand Medicare coverage of diabetes self-management training sessions.
AAHomecare says stakeholders can build important early support for this...
Senators introduce bill to delay bidding for CGMs, insulin pumps
March 12, 2026HME News Staff
WASHINGTON – Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, have introduced a bill that would, among other things, delay Medicare competitive bidding for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps for five years.
The Diabetes Interventions Addressing Barriers to Enrollment, Technology, and Education Services Act (DIABETES Act), S. 4037, would also expand Medicare coverage of diabetes self-management training sessions, where diabetes educators help train Medicare patients...