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In today's world of unstable Medicare reimbursement, oxygen conservers and regulators are critical to helping providers stay afloat. By maximizing respiratory-patients' oxygen consumption, conserving devices play an essential role in managing costs.
That's why some manufacturers are concerned about the current state of the conserver and regulator market, an environment where prices are being driven dramatically downward while the number of competitors continually rises. Moreover, respiratory specialists contend that disparity in flow rates among conserving units makes it difficult for patients to receive the correct amount of oxygen.
While lower prices fueled by greater competition can be seen as positive for the provider, it can also pose hazards, said Scott Decker, president of Santa Ana, Calif.-based Cramer-Decker Industries.
"With competitive bidding looming, providers are under pressure to reduce costs and are doing a lot more price shopping," he said. "Many of the competitors coming into the market produce cheap knockoff products. As a result, it's easy to be lured by low prices at the expense of quality. While saving money is very appealing, you may be subjecting patients to an unnecessary risk. It doesn't seem worth it."
Though he acknowledges that the conserving device market has been inundated with products made by foreign manufacturers, Invacare's Bob Messenger contends that it's no different from any other product category.
"There are definitely some foreign-made products making inroads in the market," said Messenger, clinical manager for respiratory products at the Elyria, Ohio-based manufacturer. "And they are increasing pricing pressures. But it's happening across the board."
Poor quality products not only jeopardize patient safety, they threaten employee morale as well, he said.
"No one wants to go out after midnight or on weekends to fix or replace...