Managed Care Reimbursement

More Details Released on San Diego MSA as First Medicare Competitive Bid Demo Site

This morning's Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 200 was published with new details about the Medicare Clinical Laboratory Services Competitive Bidding Demonstration Project.  Information published in the Federal Register today was to officially announce the location of the first test site and to announce a Bidder's Conference to be held in the San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos, California MSA on October 31, 2007. This bidder's conference will be open to all those laboratories interested in submitting a bid to learn about the demonstration rules and ask questions about the bidding process.

Dark Daily encourages laboratories in the San Diego-Carlsbad-San Marcos area to take the following steps:

1. Read the Federal Register  closely to determine if your lab is required to bid
2. If your lab is required to bid, or if you have any uncertainty as to whether or not you are required to bid, plan on attending the Bidder's Conference on October 31.
3. Download the Draft Bidder's Package   in advance of the Bidder's Conference and email your questions to Linda Lebovic at (410) 786-3402 or lab_bid _demo@cms. hhs.gov as you formulate them.
4. Come to the Bidder's Conference with a prepared list of your questions so that you can be sure they are addressed
5. Voice your opinions about the Bidding Demonstration to your local congressional representatives.  Information on how to do this and sample letters are available from ACLA's Competitive Lab Bidding Demonstration page .

The American Clinical Laboratory Association  (ACLA) put out a press release today which emphasizes its position that the demonstration is poorly designed and stating that it remains opposed to the demonstration.  "While the demo has immediate negative ramifications in the San Diego area, the long-term implications for beneficiaries and laboratories nationwide are unchanged - less access, lower quality, and less competition," said Alan Mertz, President of ACLA.  "CMS announced that the initial bidder's conference for the project will take place on October 31^st , Halloween.  Unfortunately, for beneficiaries, the demo project is more 'trick, than treat' as they will find access to high quality laboratory services compromised."

Per the article in the Federal Register, parties interested in additional information should contact Linda Lebovic at (410) 786-3402 or lab_bid _demo@cms. hhs.gov. Interested parties can obtain information about the demonstration project on the CMS Web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/DemoProjectsEvalRpts/downloads/
2004_Demonstration_Competitive_Bidding_Clinical_Laboratory_Services.pdf

Related Articles:

Federal Register, Vol. 72, No. 200 

Draft Bidder's Package 

ACLA's Competitive Lab Bidding Demonstration page