I have entered a strange new world called DME or Durable Medical Equipment and I feel like Robert Heinleins book “Stranger in a Strange Land”. DME companies supply equipment and services to people in their homes. Medicare (CMS) believes that not only is there fraud and abuse but there are also a lot of haphazardly run companies in this field. We once did a telemarketing blitz in Southern California from Medicare’s list of providers and found that at least 25% of the phone numbers listed were disconnected so I think they are on to something.
So now CMS is requiring all of these companies to get accredited (a good idea) and to participate in competitive bidding (not so much of a good idea). This is causing great turmoil, consternation, hand wringing, whining, and general angst in the industry.
So the question is which title fits; whither goest DME? or DME withers on the vine. I think it has a chance to reinvent itself with a smaller number of higher quality providers. According to HME News there are approximately 114,000 suppliers that bill CMS. 107,000 bill less than $300,000 per year. So we could lose 50,000 and probably not even notice the difference. The survivors will get more business and deliver higher quality because they are accredited.
Tune in next week for the reason that providers need Helpers.
Add Your Comment