The Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program was mandated by Congress through the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. The statute requires that Medicare replace the current fee schedule payment methodology for selected DMEPOS items with a competitive bidding process. The intent is to improve the effectiveness of the Medicare methodology for setting DMEPOS payment amounts, which will reduce beneficiary out-of-pocket expenses and save the Medicare program money while ensuring beneficiary access to quality items and services.
Round 1 2017, Round 2 Recompete, and the National Mail-Order Recompete competitive bidding contracts expired on December 31, 2018. The next round of competitive bidding has not been announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Therefore, CMS has provided specific guidelines and reminders for payment of DMEPOS items and services during this temporary gap period on the CMS Website.
To receive notifications of updates for the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program from the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC), register for e-mail updates. If you have any questions, please contact the CBIC customer service center at 877-577-5331 between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time, Monday through Friday. If you have questions concerning claims payment, please contact your DME MAC.
For more information, please visit the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
For information about the availability of auxiliary aids and services, please visit:
www.medicare.gov/about-us/nondiscrimination/nondiscrimination-notice.html