HHS agrees to investigate Medicare Competitive Bidding Program

Facing pressure from Congressional members, the Department of Health and Human Services recently announced that it would investigate the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ handling of the Competitive Bidding program for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies, Round 2.

Reps. Glenn Thompson (R-Pa.) and Bruce Braley (D-Iowa) requested the investigation in June after they learned that the agency awarded contracts in bidding areas to suppliers across the country that lacked proper licensure and accreditation.

Thompson and Braley authored a letter to the Office of Inspector General Daniel Levinson on June 13 that requested an investigation and asked that CMS delay further implementation until the issues are addressed.

Levinson said in a recent letter to Thompson and Braley that HHS will conduct a limited scope review of DMEPOS companies in Tennessee, Ohio, Michigan and Maryland.

“The inspector general’s plan to investigate CMS’ handling of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding program is positive news,” Thompson said. “With any hope, the OIG’s efforts will shed light on how these failures occurred and impose a new level of transparency at CMS and among those tasked with upholding the public trust and ensuring that the promise of Medicare is upheld for our nation’s seniors and those facing life altering disease and disability.”