Health Status Monitoring

May 16, 2012 UPDATE:

On January 1, 2011, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the first phase of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program in nine different areas of the country. In order to protect the interests of potentially affected Medicare beneficiaries, CMS has been conducting real-time claims analysis to monitor health status for groups of Medicare beneficiaries in competitive bidding areas (CBAs). Health status results are shown in the files on this page. Each file includes a written summary of results and graphical displays of key indicators reflective of the health status of beneficiaries and their access to DMEPOS items and services. The data is derived from claims for Medicare populations in each CBA and a corresponding "comparator" region that is similar to the CBA. CMS initially published monthly updates to this information. Because the first full year of data indicated no change in beneficiary health status outcomes resulting from the competitive bidding program, CMS is now issuing quarterly updates. See the Downloads section below for the latest results.