[hmetalk-news]

"Bad Day for HME" Says Director of Pennsylvania Association of Medical Suppliers

http://hme-business.com/articles/2010/03/21/reform.aspx

[HEATHER]

Today is the first time I have heard anything about the Mandatory Face to
Face Vistis for ALL DME. A face to face for all HME will:

1. Leave patients waiting for days (or longer?) before they can receive
their equipment because either the physician has not produced the chart
note, has not yet seen the patient to discuss the equipment, or the chart
note doesn't mention the equipment making another appt necessary;
2. Cost Medicare more money to pay for those office visits, ER trips and
hospital admits to treat injuries incurred while patient was waiting for
equipment;
3. Cost the patient both money to pay the 20% on these visits, and possible
further injury and/or longer recovery times. Not to mention how hard this
will all be on the caregivers.

Meanwhile they are holding claims beginning April 1st to make sure the
doctors don't lose any % of their reimbursement. Does anyone have any more
specifics on this face to face lunacy? Details? Projected effective date?

[Regina]

Wow. I hadn't heard about the face to face thing for all claims either. This is going to be a nightmare. I think my boss should close and open a pizza place instead. We would make more money with few of the hassles. Plus it's cash!

[HEATHER]

LOL! Regina that is a daily goal of mine - to find another business with a
waaay less headache factor... and today I figured it out. There is not a
donut shop in our town - at least not on the beach side of town! AND you
can close up shop around 2pm at the latest. If government keeps handing us
more of the same - I think I will be able to talk him into it.