BALTIMORE--Because the proposed rule on national competitive bidding has yet to be released, the PAOC committee spent less time discussing details and more time listening to presentations from various HME stakeholders during its two-day meeting last week.

When the meeting date was set earlier this year, the plan was for the NCB advisory committee to discuss the rule, which had been scheduled to be published before the meeting in September. The rule is currently in clearance with the Office of Management and Budget.

"All summer CMS said 'We're working hard to get the proposed rule out.' In early August when they realized they wouldn't get it out, that's when they decided to do different [industry] panels so they could provide input," said Pride Mobility's Seth Johnson.

Nearly a day-and-a-half of the Sept. 26-27 meeting, which drew an audience of about 200, was spent listening to expert panelists speak on how the competitive bidding program might impact specific segments of the industry. The committee heard presentations on HME, respiratory equipment including oxygen, rehab equipment and assistive technology, orthotics and prosthetics and enteral nutrition, among others.

"They were all very compelling. Most not only offered an opinion about the effects that competitive bidding will have on their part of the industry but also offered recommendations as to how things could be changed," said Weeks Group's Wallace Weeks, adding that most panelists made the point that beneficiary access could be jeopardized by including these products in the bid. "There were only a couple that said 'you need to exempt my product' and didn't offer solutions."

Once the proposed rule is issued, the PAOC will meet again during the comment period.

NCB is mandated by the MMA 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 implement the program elsewhere after that.

For more information on the PAOC, visit www.cms.hhs.gov/suppliers/dmepos/compbid/paoc.asp.

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