(June 2013) Introduction It has been the goal of entrepreneurs over the centuries: start-up business, build the business up, and sell it for a profit. This has been the cycle in the restaurant industry, the sporting goods industry, and the DME industry. Because of the “perfect storm” of competitive bidding, post-payment audits, prepayment reviews, and […]
(May 2013) With competitive bidding scheduled to go into effect on July 1, “grandfathering” has taken center stage. This article addresses two key grandfathering issues. The first is the reimbursement that the grandfathered supplier will receive. The second is a potential legal pitfall that suppliers should strive to avoid. What Items Are Grandfathered In? The […]
(May 2013) Introduction The competitive bidding program is not based in reality. It is forcing suppliers to “pound square pegs into round holes” and is forcing suppliers to enter “shotgun marriages.” However, I know that I am preaching to the choir. Competitive bidding is forcing a large number of DME suppliers to engage in asset […]
(April 2013) CMS announced the final rule for competitive bidding on April 10, 2007.[ CMS, Competitive Bidding, 72 Fed. Reg. 17992 (Apr. 10, 2007).] In the final rule, CMS indicated that contract suppliers may subcontract with non-contract suppliers as long as the subcontractor has not been “excluded from the Medicare program, any State health program […]
(July 2012) Approximately 15 years ago, it was not uncommon for hospitals to own their own HME operations. Approximately eight years ago, many of these hospitals shut down their HME operations. The hospitals realized that running an HME business was a “totally different animal” from running a hospital. Basically, the hospitals were losing money on […]
(July 2012) In the real world, one business can share physical space with another. For example, Schlotzsky’s can share space with Cinnabon, truck stops can share spaces with fast food outlets, and so on. Unfortunately, HME suppliers are not in the real world. They live in Alice in Wonderland where up is down, down is […]
(April 2012) CEOS – COMPLIANCE STARTS AT THE TOP An effective compliance program requires commitment, leadership and resources from the governing board, the CEO and senior management, and this program is intended for senior leaders of HME supplier entities. Learn why an effective compliance program helps create financial success, customer loyalty, community support and employee […]
