CMS Sets Timeline for Round 1 Rebid

BALTIMORE — In a list-serv message this afternoon, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced the following timeline for the Round 1 rebid of Medicare’s DMEPOS competitive bidding program:

8/3/2009
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announces timeline/schedule of education events, begins bidder education campaign

8/17/2009*
Registration for user IDs and passwords begins.

9/30/2009
Last day for DMEPOS suppliers to get accredited

10/2/2009
DMEPOS supplier surety bond deadline

10/21/2009*
CMS opens 60-day bid window for Round 1 Rebid

11/21/2009*
Covered Document Review Date for bidders to submit financial documents

12/21/2009*
60-day bid window closes

June 2010
CMS announces single payment amounts, begins contracting process

September 2010
CMS announces contract suppliers, begins contract supplier education campaign

Early Fall 2010
CMS begins supplier, referral agent, and beneficiary education campaign

1/1/2011
New program begins!

*Target date. Actual date will be announced through an e-mail notice.

The agency also said it is launching “an intensive bidder education campaign designed to ensure that DMEPOS suppliers interested in bidding get all the information they need to submit a complete bid in a timely manner.”

CMS said it will focus initially on preparing suppliers for the registration period. As suppliers get registered for the competitive bidding process, CMS education and outreach efforts will intensify with particular focus on information specific to registered bidders and the bidding process.

According to the notice:

“CMS’ Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) will be the focal point for bidder education. The CBIC’s dedicated website, www.dmecompetitivebid.com, will include a comprehensive array of important information for suppliers, 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 now open to help bidders with all of their questions and concerns. All suppliers interested in bidding are urged to sign up for email updates on the home page of the CBIC website.”

Visit the CMS website at www.cms.hhs.gov/DMEPOSCompetitiveBid/ for the latest information on the DMEPOS competitive bidding program.

View a press release on the Round 1 rebid.