CMS Releases Guide, FAQs for Competitive Bidding

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (July 9, 2019)—With the window for Round 2021 of competitive bidding opening next week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released additional guidance on Tuesday, including a user guide and a list of frequently asked questions.

The bid window opens for the Round 2021 Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program on July 16. To submit a bid through DBidS, the bidding portal, participants must register, provide contact information and request access. Instructions to register and the new handbook are on the CMS contractor’s website.

The new 47-page DBidS User Guide includes step-by-step instructions, what information various forms will require and tips for navigating the bidding system. In addition, CMS also released responses to frequently asked questions from three webcasts it held to address lead item pricing, bid surety bonds, required financial documents and bidder registration.

View the webcast FAQs and access the first three webcasts on demand here. The final webinar, Registering and Submitting a Bid – Part 2, will be held July 23.