Competitive bidding redux
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
CMS' second stab at a competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) will begin its first round in late October; registration for the 60-day bidding round will begin later this month, the agency says. Congress halted the controversial program in July 2008 just as Medicare began honoring the original winning supplier contracts (1"The Gray Sheet" June 1, 2009). Bids will be accepted in nine geographic areas, this time excluding Puerto Rico. Negative pressure wound therapy and group 3 complex rehabilitation power wheel chair products are also off the first-round bidding list