CMS kicks off bid preparation with non-lead items, bid limits and more

WASHINGTON – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has shared a list of non-lead items and their ratios to lead items in a new bidding calculator on the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website, AAHomecare reports.

The information is part of a large set of shared resources shared on the CBIC website kicking off “Phase 1: Bid Preparation for Round 2028” of the competitive bidding program (CBP).

The resources also include a list of product categories with associated lead items and bid limits:

• Class II Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and Insulin Pumps, A4239, $273.28
• Hydrophilic Urinary Catheters, A4296, $8.86
• Ostomy Supplies, A4385, $7.28
• Off-the-Shelf (OTS) Back Braces, L0651, $855.26
• OTS Knee Braces, L1852, $691.80
• OTS Upper Extremity Braces, L3916, $591.58
• Urological Supplies, A4352, $8.86

CMS stated in an update to the CBIC website on June 4:

To ensure bidders have ample time to understand the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) rules and prepare for Round 2028 of the DMEPOS CBP, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided detailed fact sheets on the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website and will be offering additional educational resources.

The CBIC website is the official information source for bidders and the focal point for bidder education. The CBIC website contains important and helpful resources to ensure bidders have the necessary information to prepare for DMEPOS CBP Round 2028.

To sign up to receive important competitive bidding announcements and reminders, bidders and others are encouraged to subscribe to receive email updates on the CBIC website.

Shared resources on the CBIC website:

• Bid surety bond
• Bidder eligibility requirements
• Contract supplier obligations
• Exceptions from the requirement to be a contract supplier for competitively bid items and services included in Round 2028
• Financial reporting standard
• Lead item bidding and pricing
• Licensure for bidders
• Physician or treating practitioner authorization process
• Remote item deliver competitive bidding program
• Requirements to submit a bona fide bid
• Small supplier considerations
• Subcontracting DMEPOS services
• Tribal exemption from the DMEPOS competitive bidding program

Previously provided timeline

June 4, 2026

• CMS begins pre-bidding supplier awareness program

Summer 2026

• CMS announces specific dates for registration and bidding
• CMS announces lead items for the DMEPOS CBP product categories and number of contracts to award for each product category
• CMS begins bidder education program

Late Fall 2026

• Bidder registration period to obtain user IDs and passwords begins
• Bid window opens

Late Summer/early Fall 2027

• Contracts awarded and single payment amounts announced
• Beneficiary education begins

No later than Jan. 1, 2028

• Start of Round 2028 - Contracts and single payment amounts (SPAs) in effect

Related reading:

• CMS sticks to script in final competitive bidding rule.
• An industry ‘dehumanized’: Providers say CMS ignored feedback, favors large companies.

• Stakeholders look to Congress to pressure CMS on competitive bidding.

• Campaign launches to stop bidding for urological, ostomy supplies.