CMS has announced the bidding timeline for the Round 1 2017 competition of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies Competitive Bidding Program. Round 1 2017 contracts will go into effect Jan. 1, 2017. The Round 1 2017 competition includes the same eight product categories in nine metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) included in the Round 1 Recomplete, which expires Dec. 31, 2016, for a total of 13 Competitive Bidding Areas (CBAs). An interactive map of CBAs is available on the CMS website.
According to a CMS press release, the purpose of the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program is to replace outdated prices on items and services with current market prices, as well as to limit Medicare fraud and abuse.
“CMS is achieving additional savings as part of the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of the competitive bidding program,” Sean Cavanaugh, CMS deputy administrator and director of the Center for Medicare, said in the release. “Data used to monitor the effectiveness of the overall competitive bidding program show that implementation is going smoothly, with few inquiries or complaints and no adverse changes to beneficiary health outcomes.”
CMS also has launched a comprehensive bidder education program to provide DMEPOS suppliers with additional information and assistance to submit bids.
CMS must recompete contracts under the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program at least once every 3 years, according to section 1847(b)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act.
Reference: www.dmecompetitivebid.com
