News coverage of this week’s visit by newly sworn in SC Congressman Mark Sanford, to ABC Medical of Charleston, SC has been filtering in. Charleston’s ABC News 4 was the first to break the story as Sanford travelled across the Low Country for a series of meetings to discuss important issues going on in his district. Sanford spent 45 minutes with the stakeholders of the DME industry who attended the meeting at ABC Medical, including owner Jamie Smith, President of the South Carolina Medical Equipment Services Association (SCMESA) Dan Gooch, and our very own DME Consultant Andrea Stark. During the meeting Representative Sanford toured ABC Medical and took time to listen as Stark and other industry stakeholders educated him on the details of the currently flawed competitive bidding program. Beneficiaries were also on hand to make their voices heard as well. The final directive from the group is to request support of the Market Pricing Program alternative set forth in HR1717.
While the visit itself was brief, the impact was great. With more coverage expected in local print media, this has the potential to reach a great deal of affected beneficiaries who may have otherwise not been informed about Competitive Bidding. Stark stressed the point that due to the fact that no SC provider received a contract for wheelchairs or diabetic supplies, beneficiaries seeking that care will be required to visit out-of-state DMEs in order to obtain the equipment that they need. This is an issue that will not only affect beneficiaries but will likely cost the Medicare program additional dollars under Medicare Part A. Because of the way that contracts were awarded, hospital discharge planners will often be required to coordinate with multiple providers for beneficiaries that need more than one type of DME which could increase length of stay. Beneficiaries in need of multiple pieces of equipment, for example a walker, hospital bed and oxygen, may have to receive that care from different businesses; in some cases from providers outside of their own state. This would be the equivalent of going to your primary care physician with a sinus infection and broken arm, only for them to tell you they can treat you for the sinus infection but you must travel out of state to treat your broken arm. While this is an extreme example, it is exactly what is taking place in the DME industry.
The important take away from this week’s visit is that the community is beginning to take notice of an issue that has been largely overlooked. Media outlets need to meet with providers and beneficiaries in more markets… as they do, they are beginning to sense the urgency of this matter and are increasing coverage as a result. Stay tuned to the MiraVista blog or follow us on twitter (@MiraVistaLLC) for updates as this story develops.
ABC News 4 Charleston SC Coverage: http://www.abcnews4.com/story/22451368/rep-mark-sanford-continues-local-office-hours-with-constituents
The Post & Courier: http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130529/PC16/130529165/1268/rep-mark-sanford-discusses-medicare-bid-program-with-small-business-owners-in-north-charleston-today&source=RSS
The important take away from this week’s visit is that the community is beginning to take notice of an issue that has been largely overlooked. Media outlets need to meet with providers and beneficiaries in more markets… as they do, they are beginning to sense the urgency of this matter and are increasing coverage as a result. Stay tuned to the MiraVista blog or follow us on twitter (@MiraVistaLLC) for updates as this story develops.
ABC News 4 Charleston SC Coverage: http://www.abcnews4.com/story/22451368/rep-mark-sanford-continues-local-office-hours-with-constituents
The Post & Courier: http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130529/PC16/130529165/1268/rep-mark-sanford-discusses-medicare-bid-program-with-small-business-owners-in-north-charleston-today&source=RSS
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