-Mail-Order Replacement Diabetic Supplies
-Enteral Nutrients, Equipment and Supplies
-Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines, Respiratory Assist Devices (RADs), and Related Supplies and Accessories
-Hospital Beds and Related Accessories
-Walkers and Related Accessories

-Support Surfaces (Group 2 mattresses and overlays in Miami only)

The DMEPOS competitive bidding program, combined with Medicare's accreditation and quality standard requirements, will help to ensure that high quality items and services continue to be available to beneficiaries who need medical equipment and supplies. There will be no immediate effect on the Medicare DMEPOS benefit, so Medicare beneficiaries can continue to get their Medicare-covered equipment and supplies from any Medicare-approved supplier until the program begins again in 2011.

The Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program was established by the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). Round One of the program was implemented on July 1, 2008, in 10 competitive bidding areas. As part of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) enacted on July 15, 2008, Congress enacted a temporary delay of the Competitive Bidding Program and mandated limited changes in the program. MIPPA required CMS to terminate contracts awarded in Round One and to conduct the competition for the Round One Rebid in 2009. MIPPA also delayed competition for Round Two in 70 additional MSAs until 2011 and in additional areas of the country until after 2011.

The MMA required that CMS first implement the DMEPOS competitive bidding program in 10 of the largest MSAs before expanding to other areas of the country. In selecting the specific areas for the program, CMS took into account allowed DMEPOS charges per beneficiary, the number of suppliers per beneficiary, the total population of the MSA, and the MSA's geographic location.

For additional information about the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program, please visit: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/DMEPOSCompetitiveBid/.

Source: Medicare/CMS

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Read DOTmed's prior coverage regarding durable medical equipment:

Veterans Who Had Colonoscopies Now Have Hepatitis, HIV
https://www.dotmed.com/news/story/8830/

Pharmacy Exemption for Durable Medical Equipment Gains Momentum
https://www.dotmed.com/news/story/9767/

CMS Starts Instruction on DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program for Fall

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