NACDS urges House and Senate to reject DME competitive bidding proposals

The National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS) submitted comments to key members of the House and Senate requesting they reject any proposals that would expand the durable medical equipment (DME) competitive bidding program to diabetic supplies sold at retail pharmacies or seek cuts and/or freeze to the DME fee schedule updates. "NACDS member companies are the primary providers of pharmacy services to beneficiaries with diabetes under the Medicare program, " the letter states. "Treatment of diabetes requires very careful management of blood glucose and pharmacists serve on a team with doctors, patients, and diabetes educators to help patients manage their diabetes. Unlike other DME products, the effects of the competitive bidding program on diabetic supplies and patients were never evaluated during the competitive bidding demonstration projects. Therefore, expansion of the program to include diabetic supplies sold at retail stores should not be pursued, in the absence of any data to ensure patient access, safety, and savings to the Medicare program."

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