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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsMedicare Is Paying Way Too Much For Penis Pumps
Medicare Is Paying Way Too Much For Penis Pumps
Medicare is paying "grossly excessive" amounts for vacuum erection systems, informally known as penis pumps, which are generally used by men who fail to cure their erectile dysfunction problem with drugs such as Viagra.
That's the conclusion of a recent report by the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, which found that Medicare was paying twice as much for VES (and similar devices) as non-Medicare payers like the Department of Veterans Affairs and Internet consumers.
The inspector general found that from 2006-2011, the government spent $172.4 million on 473,620 claims for these penis pumps, and saw the claims spike during the six-year period. Taxpayers would have saved $14.4 million, and beneficiaries would have saved $3.6 million, during each of those six years if Medicare was paying standard rates.
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The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it is only overpaying for the penis pumps because the law requires it to.
"Medicare prices for medical equipment prescribed by a doctor are set in statute by Congress," CMS said in a statement. "In addition, while Medicare strives to pay appropriately for items and services, only Congress has the authority to subject this equipment to competitive bidding program, as the Inspector General recommended. In cases where we have been able to use competitive bidding, the program has saved taxpayers and beneficiaries more than $400 million, and CMS projects savings in the billions over the next 10 years."
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Full article here: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/ig-report-penis-pumps-ves
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)I mean, it's straight out of a Stanley Kubrick movie.
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Please stop. Stop, Dave.
BainsBane
(53,127 posts)I knew you'd be in here. You just can't resist a good penis story.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)I haven't even started on the "open the pod bay" jokes, yet.
BainsBane
(53,127 posts)When the man with two penises hits his twilight years.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)You're trying to get me to image search "dual penis pump" because you know then I'm gonna get targeted for some really weird google ads for the next 3 months.
Besides, I thought "overpaying for a penis pump" was sort of redundant.
BainsBane
(53,127 posts)Especially for the space between the two penises. That bit is crucial.
I can't help thinking Senhor Testiculo could be of assistance here. He doesn't strike me as a guy with erectile problems.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)Mad skills for the rest home, yo.
BainsBane
(53,127 posts)I've always been a low-tech kinda gal. This was my version.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)(I like that it's from "wikihow" ... how did we ever learn anything, before the internet?)
Throw in some crappy stem & seed laden Mex weed, and you've got my entire summer of 1984, right there.
jmowreader
(50,589 posts)The government pays $364 for a penis pump.
The very finest penis pump they have at Adam & Eve is only $120.