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Tag: Round 2021


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CMS adds ZIP code to Round 2021

March 23, 2023HME News Staff

WASHINGTON - The following ZIP code has been added to Round 2021 of the DMEPOS competitive bidding program to conform with United States Postal Service ZIP code changes within the identified competitive bidding area (CBA): 56963 Washington, DC CBA. No HCPCS codes were added or removed during this quarter. CMS has not indicated when it may hold any future rounds of the bidding program, after the last round largely failed due to lack of cost savings.

Competitive Bidding, Home Medical Equipment (HME), Round 2021


Round 2021: Stakeholders analyze another piece of puzzle

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Round 2021: Stakeholders analyze another piece of puzzle

June 3, 2021Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor

WASHINGTON – Newly released data from Round 2021 show that modifications to the competitive bidding program worked in a number of ways, but more are needed, say industry stakeholders.  The data reveal that 15,695 or 42% of bids submitted for the 13 major product categories dropped from Round 2021 were disqualified for reasons that included pricing and financial issues. Hundreds of bids were disqualified for invalid bid bonds.  “(Requiring) bid bonds reduced the amount...

AAHomecare, Home Medical Equipment (HME), Round 2021, VGM Government Relations


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CMS releases additional Round 2021 bid data

May 25, 2021HME News Staff

WASHINGTON – CMS received 45,815 eligible bids for Round 2021 of the competitive bidding program, according to additional information it released today.  The total number of eligible bids did not include the 3,313 bids for non-invasive ventilators, which CMS dropped from the bidding program in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 public health emergency.  Total bidders who submitted at least one bid that was eligible to evaluate (i.e., at least one bid that was complete/certified...

Competitive Bidding, Home Medical Equipment (HME), Round 2021


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CMS shares bid pricing for Round 2021

January 15, 2021HME News Staff

WASHINGTON – CMS tonight released a “pivotal bid report” for Round 2021, in response to requests to share additional information on its latest round of the competitive bidding program. In the Las Vegas competitive bid area for example, the pivotal bid for CPAP devices, E601, was $110.80, a difference of 157.4% compared to the former CBA adjusted fee schedule amount. “CMS anticipates that this information will be helpful for stakeholders and other interested parties in...

Competitive Bidding, Round 2021


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Specialty Providers

Will Round 2021 crack ‘bedrock’ of O&P care? 

December 11, 2020Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor

YARMOUTH, Maine – The majority of competitive bidding contracts for off-the-shelf back braces in Round 2021 went to less than two-dozen companies, including a few that haven't traditionally provided them direct to consumer.  Companies with contracts include Hangar, a national provider of O&P; Medline, a distributor; and Breg, a manufacturer, which all won contracts nationally. Other contracts went to regional providers,...

Back Brace, Competitive Bidding, Contract Supplier, Orthotics & Prosthetics (O&P), Round 2021


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Round 2021: Providers vent, ponder next moves

November 20, 2020Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor

YARMOUTH, Maine - Industry reactions to CMS's plans not to move forward with the bulk of the competitive bidding program were a mixed bag, but a number of respondents to a recent HME Newspoll say they were disappointed that the agency plays by a “different set of rules.” In October, CMS announced that it had dropped 13 product categories from Round 2021 because they did not achieve “expected savings.” “It did not impact us too much, except we were...

Home Medical Equipment (HME), Round 2021


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Specialty Providers

Round 2021 & COVID-19: Not a good time to limit access, AOPA says

November 6, 2020Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor

WASHINGTON - The single payment amounts for off-the-shelf knee and back braces under Round 2021 of competitive bidding will be about 30% to 35%, on average, below Medicare's current fee schedule, based on a preliminary analysis by the American Orthotic & Prosthetic Association. The reductions aren't necessarily a surprise, stakeholders say, but they have new meaning during a public health emergency. “The COVID environment business conditions are not anything like...

American Orthotic & Prosthetic Assoc (AOPA), Back Brace, Knee braces, Orthotics, Round 2021


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Providers commend CMS on changes to Round 2021

October 30, 2020HME News Staff

WASHINGTON - CMS's decision not to push forward with the majority of Round 2021 of the competitive bidding program has been met with support from numerous providers. CMS on Oct. 27 announced new payment amounts for off-the-shelf back and knee braces but not for 13 other product categories, including CPAP and oxygen therapy, because there were no expected savings. In light of the ongoing public health emergency, it's the right thing to do, says Casey Hoyt, CEO of Viemed...

Council for Quality Respiratory Care (CQRC), Protech, Round 2021, Viemed Healthcare


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Round 2021 raises big question: Where should pricing be?

October 30, 2020Theresa Flaherty, Managing Editor

WASHINGTON - Industry stakeholders hailed CMS's decision not to move forward with most of Round 2021 as a “watershed” moment, but they also criticized the agency for trying to have it both ways. CMS on Oct. 27 announced new single payment amounts for off-the-shelf knee and back braces but not for 13 other product categories because they did “not achieve expected savings.” “You can't have a one-way bid program,” said Tom Ryan, president...

AAHomecare, Home Medical Equipment (HME), Round 2021, VGM Government Relations


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BREAKING NEWS! CMS announces Round 2021 payment amounts for back, knee braces

October 27, 2020HME News Staff

WASHINGTON - CMS has announced Round 2021 single payment amounts for off-the-shelf back braces and knee braces—and only those product categories. The agency says it is not awarding contracts for any of the 13 product categories that were previously competed because the payment amounts did not achieve expected savings. Contract offers for back and knee braces have been made in 127 CBAs, a move that CMS expects to save $600 million for the Medicare program and beneficiaries over the...

Competitive Bidding, Round 2021


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