CMS announces Round 1 2017 payment amounts

WASHINGTON - CMS has announced the new single payment amounts for Round 1 2017 and has begun sending contract offers.

CMS said a total of 1,523 contract offers will be extended to 198 bidders for Round 1 2017. Small suppliers make up 46% of the suppliers that will be offered contracts.

The seven product categories included in the Round 1 2017 are: enteral nutrients and equipment; general home equipment; nebulizers; negative pressure wound therapy pumps; respiratory equipment; standard mobility equipment; and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation devices.

Competitive bidding contracts and pricing have been in place in Round 1 areas since Jan. 1, 2011, and since July 1, 2013, in Round 2 areas. The national mail-order program for diabetes testing supplies was first implemented on July 1, 2013, with recompeted contracts and pricing being in place since July 1, 2016.

CMS originally announced plans for Round 1 2017 in April 2015. Stakeholders expressed concerns at the time that Medicare hadn't made any significant improvements to the program.

Round 1 2017 contracts will become effective on Jan. 1, 2017, and run through Dec. 31, 2018 at which point CMS will be implementing a consolidated round of competition to include all Round 1, Round 2, and national mail-order competitive bidding areas.

For single payment amounts, go here.