Competitive bidding begins
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
CMS begins taking bids Oct. 21 for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies in nine metropolitan areas under the Medicare Competitive Bidding Program round-one rebid process. The program covers Cincinnati; Cleveland; Charlotte, N.C. and surroundings; Dallas; Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Kansas; Miami/Ft. Lauderdale; Orlando; Pittsburgh; and Riverside/San Bernardino/Ontario, Calif. Negative pressure wound therapy items and Group 3 complex rehabilitative wheelchairs are excluded from the program in the rebid. The rest of the items will be the same as included in the first round-one bid, which was implemented July 1, 2008, but delayed two weeks later under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (1"The Gray Sheet" Jan. 19, 2009). Items in this round encompass nine product categories, including oxygen and oxygen equipment, Group 2 complex rehabilitative wheelchairs and mail-order replacement diabetic supplies. Bidding in this round closes Dec. 20. Round two bidding, for 70 additional service areas, is slated for 2011