CHA has submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to its request for comments on developing a stakeholder survey to strengthen the monitoring, outreach, and enforcement functions of the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program.
Access to DME in California – in particular, timely access that supports safe hospital or post-acute care discharge – has been an ongoing challenge. In 2018 and 2019, CHA engaged hospital case managers across the state to understand their experience obtaining DME for patients to support timely discharge; these conversations helped inform CHA’s comments.
In the letter, CHA offers a number of considerations for implementation of the survey, as well as other methods for obtaining the type of qualitative and quantitative information that will complement current program oversight efforts. Additionally, CHA provides suggested survey questions for Medicare beneficiaries and referral agents.
CHA continues to work closely with CMS staff on this important issue.