Competitive Bidding
What is Medicare Competitive Bidding?
The DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program was mandated by Congress through the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). Under the program, suppliers who operate in a particular competitive bidding area (CBA) are required to submit a bid for selected products in order to be able to continue to bill Medicare for competitive bid items during the contract period. Not all products or items are subject to competitive bidding. Bids are submitted electronically through a web-based application process and required documents are mailed. Bids are evaluated based on the supplier’s eligibility, its financial stability and the bid price. Contracts are awarded to the Medicare suppliers who offer the best price and meet applicable quality and financial standards. Contract suppliers must agree to accept assignment on all claims for bid items and will be paid the bid price amount. The amount is derived from the median of all winning bids for each item.
Premium Consulting's Competitive Bidding Services Include:
- Eligibility (Verification of Licensure, Accreditation and Medicare Enrollment)
- Strategic Planning / Information Gathering
- Company's Financial Document Review
- Customized Pricing Evaluation Tools Provided
- Assistance with Development of Expansion Plan
- Registration Assistance
- Hard Copy Documentation Review and Submission
- Monitor CBIC Communications
- Bid Submission
- Post Bid Asistance Available
- Contractor/Subcontract or Agreements
- Compliance
- Risk Management
- Preparing to provide services under competitive bidding
- Preparing to survive if you do not obtain all desired contracts
We have been working with providers since the very first round of competitive bidding and have proven successful in our methodology, having successfully assisted many of our clients in the first round of the Medicare Competititive Bidding, the rebid of the first round of Medicare Competitive Bidding, the second round of Medicare Competitive Bidding and the recompete of the first round areas.
We understand that this process if filled with more questions than answers but by working with a limited number of clients in each round we are able to provide our clients one-on-one attention to guide them through the process.
Let us use the experience we have gained from successfully working with clients in every round of competitive bidding so far to help you put together the pieces of this very confusing puzzle to ensure that your company is prepared when it comes time for us to submit your bid. The future success of your company depends on a positive outcome, do not take chances on your future.
Competitive Bidding 2026
CMS has issued updates as part of the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System Final Rule, which includes provisions for the next round of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program (CBP). Here is your current timeline of key milestones:
December 2025
- CMS begins pre-bidding supplier awareness and education to ensure readiness for the next competitive bidding cycle.
Late Spring / Early Summer 2026
- CMS will announce specific dates for bidder registration and bidding activity.
- CMS will publish the lead items and product categories included in the bidding cycle.
- Formal bidder education programs are scheduled to begin.
Late Summer / Early Fall 2026
- Bidder registration period opens for suppliers to obtain user IDs/passwords.
- Bid window opens for bid submissions.
Late Summer / Early Fall 2027
- Contracts awarded and single payment amounts (SPAs) announced.
- Beneficiary education on the new competitive bidding program begins.
No Later Than January 1, 2028
- Next round of competitive bidding goes into effect.
- A six-month beneficiary transition window begins, allowing beneficiaries to select and switch to contract suppliers.
Product Categories Under Consideration (tentative):
CMS’s fact sheet lists potential inclusion of items such as Class II continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps, urological supplies, ostomy supplies, and certain off-the-shelf bracing categories — though definitive product scopes will be announced later in 2026.
Action Items for Your Organization
Accreditation Compliance:
- Confirm your current accreditation status and transition from BOC immediately if applicable.
- Ensure annual reaccreditation plans are in place for 2026 and beyond.
Competitive Bidding Preparation:
- Stay engaged with supplier education programs as CMS rolls out details in Spring/Summer 2026.
- Prepare documentation, financials, and quality systems to support bid registration and submission.
- Monitor CMS announcements closely to align your strategy with the product categories and bidding timelines.
Our team is actively monitoring these developments and can assist with DMEPOS competitive bidding readiness. Do not wait till the last minute. Contact us early to ensure you have all requirements in place and are ready as deadlines approach.
Our system for assisting clients with competitive bidding only allows for us to take on a certain number of clients per round. This is the only way we feel we can be most effective in providing the quality of service our clients have come to know. In order to have our assistance in preparing your bid please contact me as soon as possible at mabel.premium@yahoo.com to reserve your spot for the upcoming round. We look forward to working with you.