Now that the competitive bidding final rule is out, providers located in the 10 metropolitan statistical areas where bidding will begin are forced to

A bid you can live with means that it will be competitive and profitable. A noncompetitive but profitable bid doesn't win a contract. A competitive but

Frankly, it doesn't seem like the best time in the world to open up a home medical equipment company. Reimbursement is down and dwindling. Legislative

For continuing coverage of CMS' competitive bidding program as it moves forward, check weekly issues of HomeCare Monday, and visit the newsletter archives

The following Web links may be helpful in your study of Medicare's DMEPOS competitive bidding program. CMS overview of competitive bidding:www.cms.hhs.gov/competitiveacqforDMEPOS/01_overview.asp

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

Accreditation Commission for Healthcare American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification Commission

Under CMS criteria, in order to be eligible to participate in competitive bidding, an HME provider must: Be in good standing with the Medicare program

10 Cities Medicare's DMEPOS competitive bidding program will launch in 10 of the country's largest MSAs: Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, NC-SC Cincinnati-Middletown,

Years of conjecture and mounting anxiety about the final rule for national competitive bidding ended on April 2 when CMS unveiled the document