BALTIMORE--After more than six months since its last meeting, the Program Advisory and Oversight Committee is expected to continue discussion of the possible effects of DME competitive bidding when it meets again today and Tuesday.

The 22-member panel--charged with advising CMS on the implementation of the government-mandated bidding program--has quite a bit of ground to cover according to an agenda for the two-day meeting, including the newly released supplier quality standards (see story above), discussion of the impact competitive bidding will have on consumers and rural areas, and results from small-supplier focus groups held earlier this year.

The panel also will hear from stakeholders how the bidding program might impact specific segments of the HME industry. Presentations from beneficiary organizations and blood glucose systems will be heard today, and presentations focusing on HME, respiratory equipment including oxygen, rehabilitation equipment and assistive technology, orthotics and prosthetics and enteral nutrition are scheduled for Tuesday.

Competitive bidding for DME is mandated by the Medicare Modernization Act to begin in 10 of the country's largest metropolitan areas in 2007 and expand to 80 cities in 2009. HHS has the authority to expand the program elsewhere after that.

CMS is expected to publish a proposed rule shortly detailing exactly how DME competitive bidding will be implemented.

For more information on the PAOC and to view the meeting agenda, visit www.cms.hhs.gov/suppliers/dmepos/compbid/paoc.asp.