Cost of Care 

Medicare testing ground: Lower prices, rising concerns

Partner: 
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Redlands Daily Facts
San Bernardino County Sun
Summary: 

The Inland Empire is a new testing ground for whether the federal government and health consumers can finally do something about rising health costs. Medicare is rolling out a new competitive bidding program that it says will reduce the costs of certain medical equipment by 30 percent or more. Yet what would seem to be a classic, all-American way to deal with pricing – through competition – and with happy winners – taxpayers and Medicare recipients -- turns out not to be that simple. We dive into the debate over the program.

Impact Summary: 

The Inland Empire is a new testing ground for whether the federal government and health consumers can finally do something about rising health costs. Medicare is rolling out a new competitive bidding program that it says will reduce the costs of certain medical equipment by 30 percent or more. Yet what would seem to be a classic, all-American way to deal with pricing – through competition – and with happy winners – taxpayers and Medicare recipients -- turns out not to be that simple. We dive into the debate over the program.

Results
Cost cuts in Medicare raise ire
Deborah Schoch and Monica Rodriguez | October 9, 2010
The Inland Empire is about to become a national testing ground for whether the federal government, and health consumers, can finally do something about rising health costs. Starting Jan. 1, a new Medicare program will slash by 30 percent the prices it will pay for certain wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators and other medical devices in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, lowering costs for both local Medicare recipients and the American taxpayer.
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Results
Quest for low prices in Medicare alarms suppliers
Deborah Schoch and Monica Rodriguez | October 9, 2010
YUCCA VALLEY - In the new age of Medicare, Esta Willman would seem like a winner. The small medical supply firm she co-owns with her husband just won two prized contracts to provide oxygen and power wheelchairs to Inland Empire seniors.
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Results
Area congressional delegation weighs in on Medicare plan
Staff | October 9, 2010
Medicare's attempt to control costs by choosing its medical equipment vendors through competitive bidding has come under criticism by some Inland Empire members of Congress. Several of the Inland Empire's representatives have signed on to support House Bill 3790, which would repeal the competitive bidding program. Below are comments from area representatives: Rep. Joe Baca D-San Bernardino, signee
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Results
Seniors still wary of new Medicare program
Monica Rodriguez and Deborah Schoch | October 9, 2010
Rancho Cucamonga resident Lois Mitchell says she knows virtually nothing about a new Medicare program that could save her money on expensive medical supplies for her mother. "I don't know how this new thing will help," Mitchell said about a program based on competitive bidding that's set to roll out Jan. 1. "There's so much I'm trying to understand that's being thrown at me." Mitchell, 72, said it's possible she may have received information on the program, but it's hard to say. She is busy arranging the affairs of her once-independent 89-year-old mother, who now finds herself hospitalized. Mitchell is trying to find a suitable skilled nursing facility for her mother and spends hours poring over stacks of information on various Medicare services.
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Results
Agency gets word out on Medicare's new competitive bidding program to ease seniors' concerns
Monica Rodriguez | October 9, 2010
Among those spreading the word about Medicare's new competitive bidding program is the Riverside-based nonprofit Inland Agency. With the help of state grant money, Inland Agency provides the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, or HICAP, to Medicare beneficiaries living in San Bernardino, Riverside, Inyo and Mono counties. The agency works with Medicare recipients and those who have supplemental insurance plans to address questions and concerns associated with Medicare's programs and services - all free of cost.
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Results
Medicare Contact Information
Staff | October 10, 2010
Looking for more information? Medicare can be contacted at 1-800-MEDICARE or online at www.medicare.gov Information on the bidding program can be found HERE. California Health Advocates is a nonprofit group that offers advice about Medicare. Its Senior Medicare Patrol helps recipients prevent and detect Medicare fraud:  714-560-0309
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Results
Medicare announces winning suppliers
Deborah Schoch, CHCF Center for Health Reporting | November 3, 2010
Signaling a massive effort to cut Medicare costs, Medicare officials on Wednesday issued the names of nearly 70 companies selected to provide medical equipment throughout the Inland Empire. The long-awaited list of winning bidders offers local Medicare recipients their first glimpse of what firms will be supplying them with oxygen, wheelchairs and other equipment, starting Jan. 1.
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Results
KQED features Medicare bidding story
Lauren M. Whaley, CHCF Center for Health Reporting | January 21, 2011
KQED's Health Dialogues featured The Center's story on a new Medicare program that will slash prices on certain wheelchairs, oxygen concentrators and other medical devices. Multimedia reporter Lauren Whaley joined senior writer Deborah Schoch as well as reporters from the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin and the San Bernardino Sun.
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