BALTIMORE--With only a year left before competitive bidding is scheduled to begin, the subject seemed to be top-of-mind for participants at CMS' DME, Home Health and Hospice Open Door Forum on Thursday. But the agency offered few answers for those who posed questions about the impending DME bid program and related topics.

The proposed regulation on competitive bidding--originally expected to be released last spring--is currently in final clearance and should be published "very soon," a CMS project officer announced. When a caller asked if "very soon" meant by the end of the year, the official responded, "That's all I can give to you right now--very soon."

For months, the industry has been anxiously awaiting release of the proposed rule, which should detail how DME competitive bidding will be implemented when it begins in 10 of the country's largest metropolitan statistical areas--also not yet identified--in 2007. CMS personnel advised stakeholders to keep checking the DMEPOS competitive bidding Web site, available by clicking here, for updates on the coming rule.

The agency did reiterate that the final supplier quality standards--which HME providers must meet in order to participate in the bid--will be published in the spring of 2006.

The next DME, Home Health and Hospice Open Door Forum is scheduled for Jan. 18.