WASHINGTON, DC – The federal government is still in shutdown mode, but HR 1717, the bill to replace competitive bidding with the market pricing program, remains in play with 157 cosponsors.
Despite the shutdown, AAHomecare officials are urging providers to schedule meetings and calls with members of Congress. For its part, AAHomecare continues to meet in Washington, D.C., with congressional staffers who are still working because they were deemed essential.
“Until Congress passes a continuing resolution that resolves the budget crisis, adding cosponsors will be difficult as many staffers have been deemed non-essential and so are on furlough,” says Julie Driver, senior manager, Marketing and Communications, AAHomecare. “Remaining staffers are doing their best to pick up the slack. Although you should continue to contact your congressional delegation, there may be a short delay before new cosponsors are officially added to H.R. 1717. Providers with questions are urged to contact AAHomecare’s Jay Witter at (202) 372-0751.
Round One Recompete Prices Lower Across the Board
Single payment amounts for the round one recompete were announced last week. The CBIC reported that “The Round 1 Recompete is projected to result in payment amounts that are an average of 37 percent less than Medicare’s fee schedule rates for the six product categories included in the Round 1 Recompete.”
Average cuts by service line:
• Enteral Nutrients, Equipment and Supplies 41%
• External Infusion Pumps and Supplies 21%
• General Home Equipment and Related Supplies and Accessories 47%
• Standard Mobility Equipment and Related Accessories 34%
• NPWT Pumps and Related Supplies and Accessories 42%
• Respiratory Equipment and Related Supplies and Accessories 40%
Click here for more information from the CBIC.