Medicare Is Paying Way Too Much For Penis Pumps

[okaawhatever]

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.

The IG's recommendation? Establish a payment limit or seek legislative changes to include VES in the competitive bidding process.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/ig-report-penis-pumps-ves

The comments are worth the click

[Thinkingabout]

1. Where in the hell is Huckabee now, he wants to talk about women's libido but he does not

talk about Viagra and now I find penis pumps. Are these decisions by men and to hell with women getting anything. Some years back I found men was getting testicular prosthesis but at the time women was not allowed breast reconstruction because men would be embarrassed.
We need to get into a real world where women are heard about women issues and we don't have to be made fun of by Rush and the rest of the gang.

[rock]

2. So, the prices are inflated?

Maybe even engorged? You say Medicare is being stiffed?