CMS Opens Initial Registration for Competitive Bidding

The initial registration process is now open and available to
all suppliers interested in participating in the Medicare Durable
Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS)
Competitive Bidding Program. Interested suppliers will submit their
bids using an internet application. To help ensure the privacy of
all bids, all suppliers must complete initial registration in the
internet application to get a USER ID and password.
Suppliers need to complete this initial registration
process early. We strongly recommend that they do so well
before the bid window opens to avoid a delay in being able to
submit bids. Bidding is currently scheduled to open in late April
2007.

The initial registration process requires the authorized
official, as identified in Section 15 of the CMS 855S, to
complete the information required in the internet application. The
authorized official’s information must match the information on
file at the National Supplier Clearinghouse. The USER ID and
password will be mailed to the authorized official if his/her
submitted information matches exactly the data on file for last
name, date of birth, Social Security number and supplier number.
The USER ID and password will be delivered in 2 separate mailings
to the authorized official at the correspondence address (Section
2A.2) listed on the CMS 855S. An authorized official only needs
ONE USER ID and password in order to submit bids
for any company for which he/she was listed as the authorized
official on the CMS 855S. To complete this initial registration and
obtain a USER ID and password, please go to https://applications.cms.hhs.gov/.

Suppliers must have the USER ID and password before they can
enter a bid into the competitive bidding internet application.
However, the USER ID and password cannot be used until the bidding
window opens, which is expected in late April 2007.

Please read the user guide for the Individuals
Authorized Access to CMS Computer Services (IACS) application
before attempting initial registration. This guide can be
found on the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor’s
website at http://www.dmecompetitivebid.com/cbic/cbic.nsf/(pages)/home.
If you have any questions about the initial registration process,
please contact the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor
(CBIC) helpdesk on 1-877-577-5331. The helpdesk will be available
Monday – Friday 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time and
on Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. prevailing Eastern Time.

An MLN Matters article regarding this registration
process will be forthcoming. Additional information on the DMEPOS
Competitive Bid Program can be found in MLN Matters
article MM5574 at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/MM5574.pdf.

Information on accreditation for suppliers can be found in MLN
Matters article SE0713 at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0713.pdf.

Important note: For added security, when
suppliers use their USER IDs and passwords to access the
Competitive Bid Submission System for the first time, they will
need to complete a brief authentication process. The information
required for this process must also match the information in the
National Supplier Clearinghouse file. If you successfully completed
the initial registration and received your USER ID and password,
please enter your information exactly as you did for initial
registration when completing the Competitive Bid Submission System
authentication process. Failure to do so may delay your ability to
use the system.