According to a timeline on the CBIC Web site, as of press time CMS planned to open its 60-day bid wndow at the end of April. Date Milestone 12/8/2003
Tuesday, May 1, 2007

According to a timeline on the CBIC Web site, as of press time CMS planned to open its 60-day bid wndow at the end of April.

Date Milestone
12/8/2003 Medicare Modernization Act signed into law.
9/2005 CMS issues draft DMEPOS quality standards.
5/1/2006 CMS publishes proposed rule for new Medicare DMEPOS competitive bidding program and accreditation for DMEPOS suppliers.
8/14/2006 CMS issues new quality standards for DMEPOS suppliers.
8/18/2006 CMS publishes final regulation for accreditation of DMEPOS suppliers.
9/29/2006 CMS awards Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) contract to Palmetto GBA.
11/22/2006 CMS announces independent accreditation organizations for DMEPOS suppliers.
4/2/2007 CMS announces Medicare DMEPOS competitive bidding program final rule and first-round competitive bid areas and product categories.
4/9/2007 CMS opens initial registration for first-round bidders to get user IDs and passwords.
4/10/2007 CMS publishes final rules for the new Medicare DMEPOS competitive bidding program.
4/11/2007 CMS holds Special Open Door Forum.
Late April 2007 CMS holds educational Web cast.
Late April 2007 CMS opens 60-day bid window for first round of Medicare DMEPOS competitive bidding program. All suppliers must be accredited or pending accreditation to submit a bid.
Late June 2007 60-day bid window closes.
8/31/2007 Last day for first-round bidders to obtain accreditation.
Late September 2007 CMS concludes bid evaluation and begins contracting process.
December 2007 CMS announces winning suppliers for first round.
1/1/2008 - 4/1/2008 CMS conducts intensive beneficiary and referral agent education campaign.
4/1/2008 New program begins!