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10/05/2015

CMS Releases List of Rural Zip Codes

Article Source: VGM Legislative Alert

Coming this January, the competitive bidding program will expand to all areas of the country. Current non-competitive bid areas will not be subject to a bidding process. But they will be forced to accept the reimbursement rates of the bid winners in the current competitive bidding areas in their region.

Theoretically bid winners are able to balance the significant payment cuts through increased volume of beneficiaries. But rural providers will not gain any volume and will be forced to accept the reduced bid rates of those in the nearest bid regions. To offset the lack of volume, CMS has implemented a 10% increase in reimbursement rates for suppliers in rural areas, in order to make up for the absent volume.

Today, CMS released the long awaited list of rural zip codes of which “rural areas” will receive a 10 percent add-on. Click here to view the list of zip codes.

We at VGM are still digesting this information but wanted to share as soon as it was received. We will keep you updated with any further details on this matter. 

Special program note:  The VGM team will be in Columbus on Nov. 18 hosting their Fall Seminar Series program in conjunction with OAMES 25th Annual Meeting & Exhibition.  They will be covering this topic in detail during presentations. Go to the Events calendar on this website and click on Nov. 17-18 for the program agenda and registration information.  

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