Competitive Bidding


House Upvotes Spending Bill Containing CRT Language

House up-votes spending package, which protects manual CRT wheelchairs and accessories. Now the appropriations bill, which must pass by Dec. 20, moves to the Senate. Providers still need to help the effort.

CMS Requests Comments from Public for Bidding Survey

The agency is requesting comments on how it should conduct a survey of DMEPOS stakeholders about its competitive bidding program. Deadline is Dec. 20, but AAHomecare has offered resources to help stakeholders act fast.

Podcast

Your Action Plan for the Dec. 20 HME Advocacy Push

Providers have until Dec. 20 to gain co-sponsors for industry legislation that could get attached to a year-end spending bill. What do they need to do?

CBIC Releases Round 2021 Preliminary Bid Evaluations

If a provider receives a PBE letter that identifies any deficiencies, it must respond to the PBE in Connexion by Dec. 17.

Providers Urged to Advocate for HME Bills

A pending government funding bill offers opportunity to include language from four pieces of industry legislation. AAHomecare’s Tom Ryan says a provider push for co-sponsors before Dec. 20 is “critical.”

David Kopf

Editor's Note

Truly Misguided Decision-Making

CMS is doubling down on including non-invasive vents in Round 2021. How is the HME industry responding? How can you help?

AAHomecare Leads Pre-Thanksgiving Push For Ventilator Legislation

The SMART Act’s number of co-sponsors has grown to 15 since it was introduced in late October; association urges providers to drive more backers ahead of Congressional recess.

New House Bill Would Delay Inclusion of Ventilators in Competitive Bidding

The newly introduced SMART Act would keep ventilators out of bidding for five years, create an expert panel to advise HHS on ventilator coverage policies.

Podcast

Non-Invasive Ventilator Legislation on the Way

After CMS Administrator’s response to a Congressional sign-on letter failed to address various industry concerns, the industry and Congressional champions forge a legislative response.

CMS Responds to House Letter on Non-Invasive Vents

Agency fails to address the core issue of the service levels required by these devices and the vulnerable patients using them. The stage is set of a legislative response.



CBIC Announces Key Round 2021 Dates

CBIC updates bidders on when Notice of Preliminary Bid Evaluation, Notice of Covered Document Review Findings and Required Action and Notice to Substantiate Your Bid(s) will be available, and what their deadlines are.

H.R. 2771 Picks Up Additional Co-Sponsors

September legislative push pays off with nine additional lawmakers singing their names to the bill that would bring permanent rural and non-bid area relief.

House Letter Calls for H.R. 2771 Support

The letter urges lawmakers — and particularly H.R. 4229 backers — to co-sponsor legislation that would bring permanent rural relief and the elimination of the oxygen budget neutrality offset. AAHomecare calls on providers to use it as part of H.R. 2771 push.

H.R. 2771 Push Focuses on Past Supporters

AAHomecare calls on providers to focus H.R. 2771 lobbying efforts on the lawmakers who backed H.R. 4229 in the last Congress.

Bidding Calculators Updates Released

CBP Education Collaborative provides context on profit/loss feature; CMS notifies bidders that ratios used to calculate non-lead rates on items that have changed payment class .

Round 2021 Bid Window Closes Sept. 18

The end of bidding for Round 2021 is fast approaching; industry experts share insights on what providers need to be doing now.

DBidS Registration Ends Aug. 16

Other important Round 2021 dates looming include covered document review and bidding window closure.

Bidding Tutorial: How Capacity and Demand Influence Payment Rates

Tutorial includes video, charts, and a detailed explanation on how capacity and demand can impact SPAs.

Aug. 27 Bid Smart Summit Registration Still Open

Time is running out to sign up for the conference, which aims to get providers up to speed three weeks before Round 2021’s bid window closes.

O2 Advocates Press for Bid Exemption of Non-Invasive Vents

AAHomecare to meet with CMS, lawmakers next week on the issue; releases white paper on the issue.

HME Business Podcast