CMS on Track to Open Round 1 Bid Window

BALTIMORE — According to an Oct. 2 message sent by
list-serv, CMS is on track to meet its scheduled target date for
opening the bid window on the Round 1 rebid of competitive bidding.

The message follows in its entirety:

“On August 3, 2009, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services (CMS) issued the bidding timeline for the Round 1 Rebid of
the Medicare DMEPOS (Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics,
Orthotics, and Supplies) Competitive Bidding Program and initiated
a comprehensive bidder education campaign. The bidding timeline
includes a target bid window opening date of October 21, 2009. CMS
is currently on schedule to meet this target date. The official
opening of the 60-day bid window will be announced via a listserv
(e-mail) message.

“In order to avoid any overlap of the Round 1 Rebid contract
period for mail-order diabetic supplies and a possible contract
period resulting from a national mail-order competition, the Round
1 Rebid contract period for mail-order diabetic supplies will be
two (2) years. The contract period for all other Round 1 Rebid
product categories will be three (3) years.

“The Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) is the
focal point for bidder education. Please review this website for
important information, including bidding rules, user guides,
frequently asked questions, policy fact sheets, checklists, and
bidding information charts. The CBIC toll-free help desk,
1-877-577-5331, is open to help bidders with all of their questions
and concerns. All suppliers interested in bidding are urged to sign
up for E-Mail Updates on the home page of this website.”

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stories.