As a result of MIPPA 2008, CMS has decided to bring “fresh blood” to the PAOC. The current PAOC group is no more. An alternative would have been to extend the term of the original members. I, for one, would have liked to see this through. The committee has invested five years trying to assure beneficiaries have convenient access to DMEPOS through the implementation of competitive bidding.
It makes you wonder why CMS would “retire” the current PAOC group and replace them with those of similar background. Do you think they did not like what they were hearing?
Bill Popomaronis, R.Ph., NCPA vice president, home health and long term care pharmacy services, provides his thoughts and explanations on the latest DME information from CMS.
