AAH Applauds Reps. Tiberi and Larson, Calls for Action on New Binding Bid Legislation

WASHINGTON (June 20, 2014)—The American Association for Homecare applauded Congressmen Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio) and John Larson (D-Conn.) for introducing H.R. 4920, the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Improvement Act of 2014, a new bill that will make Medicare bids binding. “The American Association for Homecare is proud to work with Congressmen Tiberi and Larson as they build support for the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Improvement Act of 2014,” said Tom Ryan, AAHomecare CEO. “AAHomecare is putting the full weight of the industry behind this practical piece of legislation. All HME providers and manufacturers should visit action.aahomecare.org to ask their elected officials to support H.R. 4920.” This legislation will make all bids binding and require proof of licensure for the next rounds of bidding. It addresses a major flaw in the program and deters speculative bidding without generating a cost. There are three main provisions in the bill. • Providers will need to prove licensure before they submit bids. • When a provider wins a contract, the bid bond transfers to the performance bond that is already required. • If a provider is offered a contract and declines to sign it, CMS has the option to collect the bond. “When bids don’t have to be honored, the whole process becomes hollow,” said Robert Steedley, president of Barnes Healthcare Services, Inc., and chairman of the AAHomecare Board of Directors. “Requiring binding bids will help bring common sense to the Medicare bidding program. AAHomecare has taken a leadership role on building support for this legislation, and I expect a full court press until it is passed.” "The bill would strongly incentivize more responsible bids because bidders would be required to obtain a bid bond which they would forfeit if they chose not to accept the contract—if the bidder is offered a contract and their bid was at or below the bid price,” said Cara Bachenheimer, senior vice president of Invacare. “It's standard procedure in any other bid program.” to tell your elected official to support the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Improvement Act of 2014. The American Association for Homecare represents providers of home medical or durable medical equipment and services who serve the needs of millions of Americans who require prescribed oxygen therapy, wheelchairs, enteral feeding, and other medical equipment, services, and supplies at home. Visit aahomecare.org.