QA for RFR DME Incontinence Products Preferred Supplier.docx
DOCX document 33 KB Posted
- Attached to
- 23EHSDMEINCONTINENCEPRODUCTRFR: RFR for a Preferred Supplier of DME Incontinence Products
- Solicitation number
- BD-23-1039-EHS01-ASHWA-78829
- Issued by
- Suffolk County, Massachusetts
About this file
This document is a Question and Answer (Q&A) related to a Request for Responses (RFR) issued by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for a Preferred Supplier for the Provision of DME Incontinence Products. The RFR seeks to procure a preferred supplier for incontinence products offered to the Commonwealth's MassHealth Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers. The Q&A addresses questions regarding the objective of selecting a preferred supplier, pricing structures, audit requirements for DME providers, delivery options, cost adjustments, product changes, and reporting templates.
The RFR states that EOHHS anticipates entering into an agreement with a bidder who offers the best value total wholesale unit price for products meeting the quality standards set forth in the RFR. The Preferred Supplier is expected to enter into agreements with DME providers and negotiate the terms of those agreements. MassHealth does not penalize DME providers who purchase from other wholesalers, but they are subject to audits to ensure quality standards are met. EOHHS has not established a cadence to evaluate the Preferred Supplier's Total Unit Prices, and the unit fee is anticipated to remain unchanged throughout the contract term.
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COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
ONE ASHBURTON PLACE, 11TH FLOOR
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02108
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
regarding the
Request for Responses for a Preferred Supplier for the Provision of DME Incontinence Products
Document #: 23EHSDMEINCONTINENCEPRODUCTRFR
Q & A Issued: July 21, 2023
This document contains responses to questions received on June 28, 2023 regarding the Request for Responses for a Preferred Supplier for the Provision of DME Incontinence Products issued by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS)[insert date RFR posted]. Answers have been provided to those questions which are of general interest and relevant to the preparation of a Response to the RFR.
Q1. Is it the objective of EOHHS to select a Preferred Supplier that will offer the same per unit price to all MassHealth DME Providers inclusive of cost of goods, freight, and service costs? Or is the price provided by the bidder the maximum price charged without any potential rebates to a MassHealth DME provider?
A1. EOHHS anticipates entering into an agreement with a Bidder who offers the best value total wholesale unit price for products that meet the quality standards set forth in the RFR. EOHHS expects that these total unit prices will be lower than unit rates for comparable products otherwise available to MassHealth DME providers. DME providers will be reimbursed through rates established pursuant to M.G.L. c. 118E , sec. 13 and 101 CMR 322.00: Durable Medical Equipment, Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy Equipment. The Preferred Supplier is expected to enter into agreements with DME providers and negotiate the terms of those agreements consistent with the provisions in the Model Contract (Att. 5 to the RFR) and applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
| Q2. | What is the uniform markup EOHHS adds to the Preferred Supplier’s wholesale pricing? |
| A2. | The uniform markup for the contracted Total Unit Price will be determined by EOHHS through the process for reviewing and establishing rates pursuant to M.G.L. c. 118E , sec, 13 and 101 CMR 322.00: Durable Medical Equipment, Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy Equipment. |
| Q3. | Is there a penalty (e.g., additional audits, lower fee schedule) for MassHealth DME Providers that do not purchase through the Preferred Supplier? If so, what are those potential penalties? |
| A3. | MassHealth does not penalize DME providers who purchase from other wholesalers. Rather, MassHealth DME providers that purchase incontinence products from a source other than the Preferred Supplier are required to meet the quality standards set forth in the RFR and 130 CMR 409.405(F). Such DME providers will be subject to audits to determine if the items they provide meet MassHealth’s quality standards. |
| Q4: | Would EOHHS consider a higher overall wholesale pricing cost with a direct to patient home delivery option for MassHealth DME providers through the Preferred Supplier? |
| A4: | EOHHS anticipates entering into an agreement with a Preferred Supplier who offers the best value total unit price for products meeting EOHHS’ quality standards for Standard Performance Products and Premium Performance Products, securing a reduced per-unit cost for the MassHealth Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers. Any such delivery method to the MassHealth member will need to be negotiated between the Preferred Supplier and DME provider and must comply with Model Contract (Att. 5 to the RFR), Sections 6.3 and 3.13. |
| Q5. | What type of notification would need to be provided to EOHHS in a situation where costs increase (the pandemic as an example)? How often are the fee schedules evaluated and adjusted from a supply chain, raw material, and inflation perspective? |
| A5. | EOHHS has not established a cadence to evaluate the Preferred Supplier’s Total Unit Prices and it is anticipated that the unit fee established in the Preferred Supplier’s Contract with EOHHS would remain unchanged throughout the term of the contract. MassHealth would work in collaboration with the Preferred Supplier to address extraordinary circumstances including, if necessary, contract amendments. Please refer to Model Contract (Att. 5 to the RFR), Section 6.8 Option to Modify Scope/Amendments and Section 15 of the Commonwealth Terms and Conditions. |
| Q6. | Based on the length of the contract of 3 years with a potential 2-year extension, what is the process of notification of product enhancements and/or changes within the contract timeframe? Is there an ability to add new products that might provide better outcomes and increase value while maintaining cost points during the contract period? |
| A6. | Model Contract (Att. 5 to the RFR), Section 3.6 Reporting refers to ad hoc reporting that can be performed that includes (C) Information and updates regarding any discontinued or Covered Products, including test results for replacement products. EOHHS anticipates ongoing collaboration with the Preferred Supplier to obtain quality products and maintain the best value unit price for Covered Products. |
| Q7. | Is EOHHS interested in seeing additional value metrics in a Preferred Supplier incontinence program? |
| A7. | EOHHS is not exploring additional value metrics through this procurement. |
| Q8. | What is the timeframe for implementation from existing Preferred Supplier to potentially new Preferred Supplier? |
| A8. | EOHHS anticipates the implementation for a new Preferred Supplier and turnover activities would occur on or before December 1 , 2023 as identified in Section VII Procurement Timetable, consistent with RFR Section F.5 and Model Contract (Att. 5 to the RFR) Sections 1 and 4. |
| Q9. | Can EOHHS provide a reporting template for requested monthly and/or quarterly reporting? |
| A9. | EOHHS will work in collaboration with the awarded entity to establish reporting templates. |
| Q10. | How will DME provider outreach and education be evaluated and measured? |
| A10. | Each element of the programmatic responses will be evaluated for comprehensiveness, feasibility, clarity, effectiveness, and responsiveness to the needs of EOHHS and its DME Providers. Please see RFR Section IV, Response Evaluation Process. |
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