Are you or your loved one included in this new Medicare competitive bid process? What changes are affecting your area? Below are some questions that you may be asking yourself about how this new change affects you.
Q: What is this new “competitive bidding” program, and what does it mean to me?
A: Medicare is implementing a new competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment.
- When it comes to certain home healthcare products, including enteral nutrients, oxygen equipment and supplies and CPAP/Bi-Level and supplies, your choice of homecare providers may be more limited than in the past
- Only those providers who have been offered, and have signed, a formal contract with the government will be permitted to provide those lines of equipment and services to Medicare patients
- The company providing your equipment may change, but patients will continue to have access to the homecare products they need
Q: Does competitive bidding affect all durable medical equipment?
A: No. For example, durable medical equipment such as nebulizers, standard wheelchairs and high-tech ventilators are not subject to competitive bidding. Breathing medications like albuterol are not subject to competitive bidding either. This means any Medicare supplier in good standing can provide these items to you.
Q: What’s the most important thing for me to know about competitive bidding?
A: Apria stands ready to serve Medicare patients who need our services, and will continue caring for those patients who are already on service with us for these and other non-bid services/products. (The only exception is where the government does not allow “grandfathering” as in the case of diabetic supplies.) Contact an Apria representative or your physician to see how these new bidding policies may affect you.
Q: Are managed care patients affected?
A: No. Our service to managed care patients, including patients covered by Medicare Advantage plans, will not be impacted by competitive bidding, and we will continue to provide the same excellent support and services they have come to expect from Apria Healthcare.
Q: Why should I choose Apria?
A: Apria Healthcare has over 500 branches nationwide. Click here to learn more about Apria’s homecare products and services offered in your area.
For additional information, Medicare has set up a dedicated website that may answer questions not listed above and has provided this Fact Sheet to aid in your education about this new process.