Medicare Competitive Bidding:
STATUS:
Round 2:
- The winners have been announced.
- Bid Prices are not sustainable.
- Implementation is on 7/1/2013.
- Contract Term: 3 Years
- Suppliers who are not awarded a contract are excluded from providing Bid Category Products within the CBA for 3 years.
Round 1 Recompete:
- Awaiting contract announcements.
- Implementation is on 1/1/2014
COMPETITIVE BID IMPLEMENTATION CONTRACTOR (CBIC)
CBIC administers the DMEPOS Competitive Acquisition Program. CBIC is responsible for conducting certain functions including performing bid evaluations, selecting qualified suppliers, setting payments for all competitive bidding areas and overseeing an education program. CBIC also assists CMS and its contractors in monitoring the program’s effectiveness, access, and quality.
If your bid was disqualified, you may request a review by contacting the CBIC Help Desk:
Phone: 1-877-577-5331
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
After you contact the CBIC Help Desk, we recommend you contact CBIC Liaison (formerly the CBIC Ombudsmen)
HISTORY:
The DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program was mandated by Congress through the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) to replace the current fee schedule payment methodology for selected Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) items with a competitive bid process. The intent is to reduce beneficiary out-of-pocket expenses and save the Medicare program money while ensuring beneficiary access to quality items and services.
Under this program, DMEPOS suppliers must compete in each Competitive Bidding Area (CBA) to become Medicare Contract Suppliers. DMEPOS Suppliers are required to submit an electronic bid for the products they chose. Bids are evaluated based on the supplier’s eligibility, its financial stability and the bid price. Contracts are awarded to the Medicare suppliers who offer the best price and meet applicable quality and financial standards. This bid process is a closed competitive bid.
In April 2007, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Medicare DMEPOS national competitive bidding program final Rule and the first-round competitive bid areas and product categories.
In March 2008, Round 1 of the competition was completed and contracts were awarded.
In July 2008, the House and Senate voted to overturn President George W. Bush's veto of H.R. 6331. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 included a temporary delay of the DMEPOS competitive bidding program to allow time for critical process improvements and other reforms to bidding and HME policy. COMPETITIVE BIDDING WAS NOT CANCELED. However, the Round 1 contracts were canceled and the Round 2 competition was delayed until 2011. See H.R. 6331, section 154 (Delay and Reform of Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Acquisition Program). CMS is required by law to recompete contracts under the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program at least once every three years.