Bidding Countdown

As the clock ticks towards the deadline for submitting bids in the 10 competitive bidding areas, it is critical for providers to prioritize activities to understand how to submit the best possible bid. Make sure you check the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor Web site (www.dmecompetitivebid.com), which posts new information on a daily basis.

The following checklist and frequently asked questions should also help.

Bidding Checklist

• Review all necessary information and documentation directly from the CMS and CBIC Web sites to ensure that you and your staff are educated on the process and requirements.

• Obtain accreditation by Aug. 31, 2007.

• Develop an accurate and efficient methodology for understanding your current cost structure, including acquisition and operational costs, and total costs of doing business in each DMEPOS category that you choose to bid on.

• Understand and analyze your total costs by category, or item, to ensure a high level of beneficiary care, service and satisfaction prior to calculating your bid price.

• Review current financial standards required to participate in the bidding process, including (but not limited to) tax returns, credit history, insurance documentation, business capacity and line of credit.

• Review compliance with the documented supplier quality standards.

• Obtain model number, MSRP, unit of measure and current costs from your key manufacturer in each participating category.

• Support the Tanner-Hobson bill (H.R. 1845) by writing to your local representative. Information regarding the bill and how to support it is available on many industry sites.

• Support the Rehab Carve-Out bill that would exempt complex rehab from the bid due to the complex nature of the beneficiary, of the product required and the level of expertise required by a provider to assess, measure, fit, adjust, program and service these complex products adequately.

• Act now on both of these pieces of legislation by asking your representative to sign on as a cosponsor.

Bidding FAQs

Q. What is the timeline for competitive bidding implementation in the first 10 areas?