Tag: Round 2021
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.
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...