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Fast Facts

DMEPOS competitive bidding process will begin April 2007.
CMS has announced the 10 MSAs where competitive bidding will be introduced.
CMS has announced the product categories included in the first competitive bidding project.
The Final Rule governing competitive bidding ensures that at least 30 percent of bid winners are small businesses.
Suppliers must obtain accreditation to participate in competitive bidding. The ONLY exception to the rule is a pharmacy that maintains a Part B supplier billing number to submit Part B drug claims and administer vaccinations.
Ten agencies have been approved to accredit suppliers of DMEPOS.

Important Links:

You've Bought Some Time, Don't Waste It

By William Popomaronis, R.Ph.

Bidding pharmacists in the top 10 MSAs have a deadline of August 31 to obtain accreditation. CMS has yet to determine a deadline for all other suppliers. Take advantage of the time to prepare your business. I've been getting numerous calls from members assuming that since diabetes testing supplies are exempt from competitive bidding, they DO NOT have to obtain accreditation. THIS IS NOT TRUE!

It is no longer a matter of IF, but rather WHEN, suppliers outside of the competitive bid areas will have to meet CMS accreditation requirements. Don't gamble with your Part B supplier billing number by waiting for CMS to set a final deadline. Obtain accreditation now!

Bidders Conferences for the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) invites you to participate in a series of DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Bidders Conferences. These conferences will be conducted via teleconference and will provide you the opportunity to learn more about the program. Each call will last approximately one hour, including time for questions and answers.

Submitting Your Bid - Monday, June 4, 2 p.m. EST
- This call will guide you through the Competitive Bidding Submission System and assist you in navigating the system.
Understanding the Bidding Rules - Wednesday, June 6, 2 p.m. EST
- During this call, issues such as common ownership, the types of financial documents that must be submitted as part of your application, small business provisions, the bidding evaluation process, and time frames will be discussed.
Product Categories - Friday, June 8, 2 p.m. EST
- Topics that will be discussed include how product categories were selected, what constitutes the mail order diabetic testing supplies category, and what is included in the grandfathering provisions.

There is no charge for these teleconferences. To register, go to the Competitive Bidding Program website. You may submit questions ahead of time when you register to attend one or more events. More information about the teleconference calls, including the call-in number and confirmed date and time, will be sent to you upon registration. In addition, an audio recording and transcripts will be available on the website after each teleconference. If you have any questions, please call the Competitive Bidding Program Service Center toll-free at 877-577-5331

William Popomaronis, R.Ph., is vice president, long term and home health care services for the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). He is also the only pharmacist member of Medicare’s Program Advisory and Oversight Committee (PAOC), which provides advice on the development and implementation of the DME Competitive Acquisition Program.

Bayer HealthCare, Diabetes Care, has underwritten the costs of this communication. The information expressed in this communication are the views of NCPA. Bayer is not responsible for the accuracy of the information expressed in this communication. Any questions related to DME Accreditation and/or Competitive Bidding for DMEPOS should be directed to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or NCPA.


	Sponsored by Fast Facts DMEPOS competitive bidding process will begin April 2007. CMS has announced the 10 MSAs where competitive bidding will be introduced. CMS has announced the product categories included in the first competitive bidding project. The Final Rule governing competitive bidding ensures that at least 30 percent of bid winners are small businesses. Suppliers must obtain accreditation to participate in competitive bidding. The ONLY exception to the rule is a pharmacy that maintains a Part B supplier billing number to submit Part B drug claims and administer vaccinations. Ten agencies have been approved to accredit suppliers of DMEPOS. Important Links: Medicare DME Home Page Medicare DME blog Medicare DMe-Alert Archive You've Bought Some Time, Don't Waste It By William Popomaronis, R.Ph. Bidding pharmacists in the top 10 MSAs have a deadline of August 31 to obtain accreditation. CMS has yet to determine a deadline for all other suppliers. Take advantage of the time to prepare your business. I've been getting numerous calls from members assuming that since diabetes testing supplies are exempt from competitive bidding, they DO NOT have to obtain accreditation. THIS IS NOT TRUE! It is no longer a matter of IF, but rather WHEN, suppliers outside of the competitive bid areas will have to meet CMS accreditation requirements. Don't gamble with your Part B supplier billing number by waiting for CMS to set a final deadline. Obtain accreditation now! Bidders Conferences for the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) invites you to participate in a series of DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Bidders Conferences. These conferences will be conducted via teleconference and will provide you the opportunity to learn more about the program. Each call will last approximately one hour, including time for questions and answers. Submitting Your Bid - Monday, June 4, 2 p.m. EST This call will guide you through the Competitive Bidding Submission System and assist you in navigating the system. Understanding the Bidding Rules - Wednesday, June 6, 2 p.m. EST During this call, issues such as common ownership, the types of financial documents that must be submitted as part of your application, small business provisions, the bidding evaluation process, and time frames will be discussed. Product Categories - Friday, June 8, 2 p.m. EST Topics that will be discussed include how product categories were selected, what constitutes the mail order diabetic testing supplies category, and what is included in the grandfathering provisions. There is no charge for these teleconferences. To register, go to the Competitive Bidding Program website. You may submit questions ahead of time when you register to attend one or more events. More information about the teleconference calls, including the call-in number and confirmed date and time, will be sent to you upon registration. In addition, an audio recording and transcripts will be available on the website after each teleconference. If you have any questions, please call the Competitive Bidding Program Service Center toll-free at 877-577-5331

	William Popomaronis, R.Ph., is vice president, long term and home health care services for the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA). He is also the only pharmacist member of Medicare’s Program Advisory and Oversight Committee (PAOC), which provides advice on the development and implementation of the DME Competitive Acquisition Program.

	Bayer HealthCare, Diabetes Care, has underwritten the costs of this communication. The information expressed in this communication are the views of NCPA. Bayer is not responsible for the accuracy of the information expressed in this communication. Any questions related to DME Accreditation and/or Competitive Bidding for DMEPOS should be directed to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or NCPA.