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| CMS Announces Release of New DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Fact Sheet for Referral Agents in Hardcopy |
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CMS Announces Release of New DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Fact Sheet for Referral Agents in Hardcopy The Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program is scheduled to begin in nine competitive bidding areas (CBAs) on January 1, 2011. The competitive bidding program will offer beneficiaries in the designated CBAs access to quality DMEPOS products and services with lower out-of-pocket costs. When the program starts, beneficiaries located in the CBAs must obtain these items from a contract supplier unless an exception applies. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is now in the process of contracting with suppliers to become contract suppliers in the nine CBAs. All suppliers being offered contracts went through a thorough vetting process, are licensed and accredited, and meet financial standards. This means that Medicare beneficiaries will continue to receive quality items and services from DMEPOS suppliers they can trust. CMS expects to complete the contracting process in time to announce the contract suppliers in September 2010. Referral agents located in CBAs who prescribe DMEPOS for beneficiaries or refer beneficiaries to specific suppliers will need to be aware of which suppliers in the area are contract suppliers as well as other important referring information. Referral agents include such entities as Medicare enrolled providers, physicians, treating practitioners, discharge planners, social workers, and pharmacists who refer beneficiaries for services in a CBA. More information for referral agents can be found in the new Medicare Learning Network |