Tuesday, November 5, 2013
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa (Nov. 5, 2013)—Iowa Congressman Tom Latham met with members of the Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services (MAMES) for over an hour at Mobilis, Inc. The meeting was organized and hosted by MAMES Member Colleen Brabec, Mobilis, Inc., along with MAMES and VGM Group, centered around the unsustainable competitive bid rates and the resulting impact on access to care for beneficiaries and the devastating impact on small businesses.
During this visit Congressman Latham was shown graphic evidence of how the bid rates result in negative revenue after the total cost (administration, billing, delivery and follow-up services) of providing the products and the required services are factored in. Congressman Latham was also shown the extraordinary amount of documentation that goes into the reimbursement process. Members were able to explain the access to care issues that beneficiaries face when they work with multiple providers to obtain the products and services they need to remain in their homes.
Colleen Brabec, owner, Mobilis, Inc., who hosted this event said: "This was a great opportunity to have Congressman Latham’s undivided attention. We were able to explain the issues with competitive bidding in detail and show the unsustainability from a reimbursement standpoint. Congressman Latham asked a lot of great questions and showed compassion for the industry as well as the beneficiaries. It was great to work with other local providers, some bid winners and some not, and show our solidarity in opposing this program."
The meeting with Congressman Latham moved to an interactive discussion format, where issues with audits, the bid award process and stories of access to care were discussed. MAMES executive director, Rose Schafhauser asked if there were avenues available to stop this program through the House Appropriations Committee on which Congressman Latham serves. Congressman Latham gave hope that once Congress "gets back to writing appropriations instead of continuing resolutions we may have the opportunity to work through the Appropriations Committee to stop this program." For more information regarding this site visit by Congressman Latham please contact Rose Schafhauser, executive director, MAMES at info@mames.com or (651) 351-5395. Visit mames.com.
