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11/27/2018

CMS Proposes New Product Categories for Medicare Bidding Program Including Ventilators

Comment Period Extended - Now Due December 17

CMS is extending the public comment period on new product categories to be phased-in for the next round of the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. Comments will now be accepted through December 17, 2018.

The Medicare agency is proposing to add the following products to the next round of bidding:

Ventilators: E0465, E0466, E0467

Off-The-Shelf Back Braces: L0450, L0455, L0457, L0467, L0469, L0621, L0623, L0625, L0628, L0641, L0642, L0643, L0648, L0649, L0650, L0651

Off-The-Shelf Knee Braces: L1812, L1830, L1833, L1836, L1848, L1850, L1851, L1852

See the CMS Public Comments on New Product Categories webpage for more information.

OAMES will be submitting comments on behalf of association members opposing the addition of ventilators to the bidding program.  Adding life-sustaining products such as ventilators raises serious concerns given the issues that the provider and prescriber community, along with legislators and regulators, have raised about the viability and sustainability of the current program.

We encourage all HME providers who provide these products to weigh in with their own comments by the Dec. 17 deadline.

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