BALTIMORE--In its run-up to the implementation of competitive bidding, CMS has released the specific HCPCS codes that will be included for products in the first round of Medicare DMEPOS bidding, currently set to begin later this month.

As posted on the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor Web site, the 10 product categories targeted for bidding and the number of codes in each category follow. For a list of all codes included in each category, click here.

1. Oxygen Supplies and Equipment - Oxygen Accessories (9 purchased items)
1.A. Oxygen Supplies and Equipment - Payment Class A (4 rental items)
1.B. Oxygen Supplies and Equipment - Payment Class B (2 rental items)
1.C. Oxygen Supplies and Equipment - Payment Class C (2 rental items)
1.D. Oxygen Supplies and Equipment - Payment Class D (2 rental items)
1.E. Oxygen Supplies and Equipment - Payment Class E (2 rental items)
2. Standard Power Wheelchairs, Scooters, and Related Accessories - E0950 - E2621 (61 purchased items)
2. Standard Power Wheelchairs, Scooters, and Related Accessories - K0015 - K0829 (47 purchased items)
3. Complex Rehabilitative Power Wheelchairs and Related Accessories - E0950 - E2369 (40 purchased items)
3. Complex Rehabilitative Power Wheelchairs and Related Accessories - E2370 - E2621 (40 purchased items)
3. Complex Rehabilitative Power Wheelchairs and Related Accessories - K0015 - K0864 (50 purchased items)
4. Mail-Order Diabetic Supplies (9 purchased items)
5. Enteral Nutrients, Equipment, and Supplies (16 purchased items)
6. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Devices (CPAP), Respiratory Assist Devices (RADs), and Related Supplies and Accessories (20 purchased items)
7. Hospital Beds and Related Supplies (31 purchased items)
8. Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Pumps and Related Supplies and Accessories (4 purchased items)
9. Walkers and Related Accessories (17 purchased items)

10. (Miami and San Juan Only) - Support Surfaces (group 2 and 3 mattresses and overlays) (6 purchased items)

According to CMS' final rule on competitive bidding, published in the April 10 Federal Register, providers must bid on all codes within a product category. CMS will then figure a weighted "composite bid" for each bidder, and will use those composite bids to select contract winners.

As of Friday, additional information on the competitive bidding program--including composite bid weighting factors for each code--was listed on the CBIC Web site as "coming soon."

Access the CBIC home page at www.dmecompetitivebid.com for a list of the 10 MSAs selected as initial competitive bidding areas.

For a detailed explanation of the competitive bidding program, including how winning bids will be chosen, click here for a PDF of the complete final rule (401 pages).