As Medicare's Competitive Bidding Program gears up for its Saturday launch, critics renew their warnings that the program will put patients in jeopardy, according to a Press-Enterprise report.
CMS will implement the program in nine metropolitan statistical areas during its first round. CMS hopes that these areas will start to see savings of up to 30 percent on certain durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies beginning Jan. 1.
The government says the process is a necessary change to a program marked by wasteful spending and fraud, according to the report. But critics say the program will close businesses or force suppliers to cut staff, and that Medicare and Medicaid have cut rates so low that winning bidders can't afford to provide the services they promised. Critics fear patients will ultimately suffer when contracts are awarded to financially unstable business who cannot meet patient needs.
Read the Press-Enterprise report on Medicare's Competitive Bidding Program.
Read more on supply chain:
-5 Proven Strategies for Surgery Centers to Work With GPOs
-10 Statistics About ASC Medical and Surgical Expenses
-5 Ways to Control OR Supply Costs
CMS will implement the program in nine metropolitan statistical areas during its first round. CMS hopes that these areas will start to see savings of up to 30 percent on certain durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies beginning Jan. 1.
The government says the process is a necessary change to a program marked by wasteful spending and fraud, according to the report. But critics say the program will close businesses or force suppliers to cut staff, and that Medicare and Medicaid have cut rates so low that winning bidders can't afford to provide the services they promised. Critics fear patients will ultimately suffer when contracts are awarded to financially unstable business who cannot meet patient needs.
Read the Press-Enterprise report on Medicare's Competitive Bidding Program.
Read more on supply chain:
-5 Proven Strategies for Surgery Centers to Work With GPOs
-10 Statistics About ASC Medical and Surgical Expenses
-5 Ways to Control OR Supply Costs