CMS estimates that 90% of suppliers in the top 10 metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) will competitively bid on DMEPOS in an effort to hold on to or grow their Medicare business. They also estimate that 50% would likely become “winning bidders,” representing approximately 18,000 suppliers located in the top 10 MSAs.
(Keep your eyes open Miami!)
According to NCPA surveys, less than 10% of independent community pharmacies are accredited – allegedly the first step to competitively bidding. Accreditation agencies have a big, and possibly insurmountable, challenge in meeting CMS accreditation deadlines.
I wish I knew what those deadlines were so I could share them with you, but CMS has not been clear in sharing that information. One thing is sure, while CMS would “like” suppliers to obtain facility accreditation PRIOR to submitting a bid to provide DMEPOS to beneficiaries, CMS has the authority to proceed with competitive bidding whether suppliers are accredited or not.
Stay tuned!
Bill Popomaronis, R.Ph., NCPA vice president, home health and long term care pharmacy services, provides his thoughts and explanations on the latest DME information from CMS.
