BALTIMORE — In a trio of competitive bidding updates sent Dec. 20, CMS said:
1) The agency "is in the process of mailing a letter to referral agents in CBAs to remind them that the program is starting on Sat., Jan. 1, 2011."
The notice also includes a reminder that "when the program becomes effective, beneficiaries with original Medicare who obtain competitively bid items in CBAs must obtain these items from a contract supplier for Medicare to pay, unless an exception applies … It is crucial that health care professionals who order items included in the program understand how this program will affect their Medicare patients so that Medicare will continue to pay for covered services."
A copy of the letter — which is being sent to physicians, treating practitioners, discharge planners, social workers and pharmacists who refer beneficiaries for services — is available on the CMS website at http://www.CMS.gov/DMEPOSCompetitiveBid/04_Educational_Resources.asp.
2) Its online supplier locator tool has been updated for competitive bidding.
To access a list of DMEPOS competitive bidding contract suppliers for a particular beneficiary's competitive bidding area using the updated online supplier locator tool:
- Visit http://www.Medicare.gov/supplier.
- Enter the Medicare beneficiary's zip code and click "Submit."
- A list of product categories will appear; those product categories with a star icon next to them are included in the Competitive Bidding Program.
- After selecting a competitive bidding product category, click "View Results."
- A page will display stating you've selected a competitive bidding product category and briefly explain the program; click "Continue."
- A list of all Medicare contract supplier locations in the competitive bidding area will appear.
A list of contract suppliers for each CBA can also be found at http://www.cms.gov/DMEPOSCompetitiveBid/01A2_Contract_Supplier_Lists.asp.
3) A "Repairs and Replacements Fact Sheet" for competitive bidding is available from the Medicare Learning Network.
The fact sheet contains information on competitive bidding program rules that apply when equipment that is owned by a beneficiary needs to be repaired or requires replacement parts. It also includes information on which items and services non-contract suppliers may provide, and which HCPCS codes can be considered replacement parts associated with repair of base equipment. View the fact sheet at http://www.cms.gov/DMEPOSCompetitiveBid/04_Educational_Resources.asp, Scroll down to "Downloads" and select "DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Fact Sheets."
View more competitive bidding stories.