Competitive Bidding


VGM Offers Expanded Bid Calculators

Newly revised bidding calculators let HME providers enter their own book of business to see how bids under lead item pricing would impact their business.

PFQC Survey: Patients Still Waiting on HME

An online poll of patients sees that they are waiting upwards of two weeks for medical equipment, seeing increased out-of-pocket cost.

David Kopf

Editor's Note

Be Prepared. Be Involved.

The trends impacting HME never stop and neither should you.

CMS Adds More Round 2021 Webinars

Two webcasts for June will offer a two-part discussion of registering and submitting bids in Round 2021.

AAHomecare: Industry Enters 'Critical Period' for Advancing Legislation

HME industry advocates have a solid two months in which they must secure support for several bills and sign-on letters; providers urged to help effort.

Providers Prep for Round 2021 Bidding Summit

Attendees to June 5 Competitive Bidding Summit to learn more about Round 2021 and how to bid under lead item pricing.

Latest HMEB Podcast: The Washington Legislative Conference

A bonus episode of the HME Business Podcast interviews a variety of industry advocates from Capitol Hill to convey what is AAHomecare’s most substantial agenda to date, as well as captures the urgency of the event.

Industry Hits Capitol Hill with Full Agenda

AAHomecare facilitates in-person meetings between lawmakers and industry advocates in Washington, D.C.; coordinates virtual fly-in for providers to remotely assist lobbying push.

Congressional Letters Call for Vent Relief

Providers urged to help collect lawmakers’ signatures for House and soon-to-debut Senate sign-on letters asking CMS and HHS to pull back from including non-invasive vents in competitive bidding.

VGM Opens Heartland Conference to Non-Members

For the first time ever, VGM’s June 10-12 event is open to all providers; kicks off with special four-hour session on Round 2021.



Bidding, Oxygen Reform Bill Hits House

New legislation would provide permanent rural and non-bid area relief and eliminate the oxygen budget neutrality requirement.

CMS Unveils Round 2021 Timeline

Registration starts June 10 and the bid window opens on July 16 for the next iteration of the competitive bidding program, which includes significant changes such as lead item pricing and bid surety bonds.

Manual CRT Bill Launched in Senate

Companion to H.R. 2293 would exclude manual CRT wheelchairs from competitive bidding and suspend bidding-derived pricing on accessories for those chairs for 18 months.

CMS to Host Round 2021 Webinars

CMS series of three webinars will cover various topics related to Round 2021 during May.

Competitive Bidding Summit Slated for June 5

Nashville event will give attendees deeper understanding of Round 2021, and especially how to bid under lead item pricing.

Special Edition of HMEB Podcast Explores Ways to Expand Resupply

For episode 007, Two resupply experts explain how providers can apply lessons learned in sleep therapy to resupply programs in categories such as incontinence, diabetic supply and enteral nutrition.

Round 2021: Do You Understand Lead Item Pricing?

CBIC, AAHomecare, industry experts all emphasize the need for providers to start using lead item pricing calculators and educate themselves on the pricing method well before Round 2021 bidding begins.

Latest HMEB Podcast Digs into Round 2021

Episode 006 examines key elements of the new round of the competitive bidding program and why providers need to start acting now; also offers details on upcoming legislative events.

Industry Advocates Launch Round 2021 Education Site

The new site, dmecbpeducation.com, offers a variety of resources to help providers prepare for Round 2021, including bid calculators based on new lead item pricing system.

CBIC Alerts Commonly Owned, Commonly Controlled Providers

Bid contractor urges providers to review their enrollment records now, and ensure they understand the commonly owned and commonly controlled distinctions.

HME Business Podcast