CMS releases additional Round 2021 bid data

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 in the DMEPOS Bidding System (DBidS), uploaded at least one required financial document, and uploaded a bid surety) was 1,123. 

CMS announced in October that it would not award contracts for Round 2021 for any of the 13 product categories that were previously competed because the payment amounts did not achieve expected savings. It moved ahead with off-the-shelf back and knee braces. 

Other information about Round 2021 released today: 

• Total bids in the off-the-shelf back and knee braces categories that CMS requested justification for, as part of the bona fide bids, was 1,232, while the number excluded for not passing scrutiny was 401. 
• Total bids in the removed competitions that CMS requested justification for was 4,489, while those excluded for not passing scrutiny was 123. 
• The number of eligible bids in the off-the-shelf back and knee braces categories from small suppliers was 2,318, while the number of eligible small suppliers was 383. 
• The number of eligible bids from small suppliers in the removed product categories was 9,204, while the number of eligible small suppliers was 545. 

Earlier this year, CMS released information on Round 2021 bid pricing.