CMS Open Door Forum Includes Bidding Program Proposed Rule

On March 5, CMS hosted an Open Door Forum focused on the recently released advanced notice of proposed rulemaking on the competitive bidding program, as well as the Hospice Quality Reporting System. Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking – Competitive Bidding CMS discussed the recently released advanced notice of proposed rulemaking titled “Methodology for Adjusting Payment Amounts for Certain Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies Using Information from Competitive Bidding Programs.” CMS is seeking comments on different methodologies they may consider using when applying information from the bidding program to adjust Medicare fee schedule payment amounts or other Medicare payment amounts for items and services furnished in areas that are not included in the bidding program. Specifically, CMS is considering whether different payment rules for DME and enteral nutrients, supplies and equipment should be considered under the bidding program. Kim Brummett, AAHomecare’s senior director of regulatory affairs, asked Joel Kaiser, director, division of DMEPOS policy, whether CMS would be reviewing the Office of Inspector General reports expected to be released sometime this year on Round 1 and Round 2 before releasing a proposed rule on expanding the current bidding program. Kaiser responded that CMS is currently seeking comments with this advanced notice and will review them before making any decisions on how to proceed. Comments on the advanced notice are due to CMS by close of business March 28, and AAHomecare is in the process of drafting comments that will reflect member concerns. Hospice Quality Reporting Program The rest of the open door forum call was focused on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 and Fiscal Year (FY) 2016 hospice reporting cycle, as well as FY 2016 data collection training, and the hospice experience of care survey. CMS provided links to fact sheets and other important materials related to the Hospice Quality Reporting System in their agenda announcement. For more information, click here. AAHomecare has asked CMS to host an open door forum exclusively on DME related issues. We will update members with more information when it becomes available. Visit aahomecare.org for more information.