Prometheus 6

That title may be the clearest, most sensible thing ever to appear in the NY Times Opinions section. Let me repeat it:

There is never a good reason for Medicare to pay far more than the market rate for medical equipment.

Of course, it does...and steps are being taken to make sure it continues to do so.

There is little doubt that Medicare has been paying far too much for equipment — including wheelchairs, hospital beds, oxygen concentrators, diabetic test kits, and walkers — under fee schedules based on historical charges. According to federal officials, Medicare currently pays $1,825 for a hospital bed that can be bought online for $754, and $4,023 for a power wheelchair that can be bought online for $2,174.