Industry Affairs
Fuller Rehabilitation Independent Living Aids has been active in governmental affairs concerning legislative and regulatory issues. We have always been supportive of the Medicare program and its efforts to improve the industry through higher quality standards and more appropriate pricing of products and services. We have met several times with Medicare administrators to express our support and share our ideas for quality improvement.
Recently, however, there have been legislative and regulatory issues that will adversely affect power mobility providers and the beneficiaries who currently use or may need power mobility products such as power wheelchairs and scooters. We are working diligently with members of congress to correct these issues and keep the power mobility industry viable and help it continue to provide high quality products and services. The following are two of the most serious issues we are confronted with.
Competitive Bidding
Recent legislation will require companies to submit bids to the Medicare program for all power mobility products and accessories. In addition, several other durable medical equipment categories fall under the bid program. These bids would be used to set new prices and only a limited number of providers would be allowed to win contracts. By Medicare’s own estimate, about two thirds of medical equipment suppliers would not win bids. The power mobility industry believes that by cutting out a large portion of the providers, there would not be enough providers left to service the people who need power mobility products. We believe that quality of products and service would be compromised and that the beneficiaries needing and using the equipment would be the ones to suffer the most.
"We are actively working with members of Congress to eliminate the competitive bid program and find a more viable means to set the prices that Medicare pays for equipment."
President Obama has put the bidding program on hold until it can be more thoroughly reviewed by his administration. In the meantime we are working with our members of congress to find a better way to determine appropriate pricing of equipment and still maintain the high standards of quality that our disables and elderly beneficiaries deserve.
Fraud and Abuse
In many government programs there are people who will illegally take advantage of the system for their own personal gain. In the power mobility industry, there have been several cases of dishonest companies who have systematically defrauded Medicare of the taxpayer’s money. The media seems to enjoy publicizing these problems even though only a few suppliers are actually involved.
"The overwhelming majority of power mobility companies are very honest and upright, and want to do the best for their patients. Unfortunately, when someone breaks the rules it gives all of us a black eye. We do believe that the fraudulent companies can be eliminated, and can be done without punishing the good providers."
Our company is working with the industry and with members of congress to promote ideas such as better inspection and screening processes, mandatory accreditation, surety bond requirements, and stiffer penalties. We anticipate that there will soon be bills before Congress that will include some of our proposals to eliminate fraud in the industry.