BALTIMORE, Aug. 16, 2012—The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the bidding timeline for the Round 1 Recompete of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. To view the timeline visit the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website at www.dmecompetitivebid.com.

Bidder Education Program

CMS has also launched a comprehensive bidder education program. This program is designed to ensure that DMEPOS suppliers interested in bidding receive the information and assistance they need to submit complete bids in a timely manner. The CBIC is the official information source for bidders and the focal point for bidder education. The CBIC website features a comprehensive array of important information for suppliers, including bidding rules, user guides, policy fact sheets, checklists and bidding information charts. The education program will also include webcasts that will cover all the essential topics suppliers will need to know in order to bid. These webcasts will be posted on the CBIC website and will be available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. When a webcast is posted, the CBIC will announce its availability through a CBIC e-mail update announcement. To sign up to receive webcast announcements and other key registration and bidding information, visit the CBIC website and subscribe to e-mail updates.

In addition to viewing the information on the CBIC website, DMEPOS suppliers are encouraged to call the CBIC toll-free help desk, 877-577-5331, with their questions and concerns.