The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is sharing important updates regarding the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP), including a proposed rule change and upcoming resources for Round 2028.
Proposed Rule Change
CMS is proposing an additional change to the DMEPOS CBP so it can provide further protections for the Medicare Trust Fund and continue to lower copays for beneficiaries. Specifically, CMS is proposing to update the DMEPOS CBP's bid surety bond requirements. The proposed change would increase the bid surety bond amount from $50,000 to $100,000 for Remote Item Delivery competitions, while keeping the current $50,000 requirement for all other competitions. This change aims to deter bidders from submitting disingenuous bids. For more details, refer to the Fiscal Year 2027 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule (CMS-1845-P) fact sheet.
Round 2028 Bidder Education
CMS will soon launch the first phase of its Round 2028 DMEPOS CBP bidder education initiative. This early education phase will inform prospective DMEPOS suppliers about the upcoming bidding process, eligibility requirements, and key program changes before the registration and bidding periods open, giving them ample time to prepare. In the meantime, CMS has posted Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) located on the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website.
Stay Informed
The CBIC is the official information source for bidders and the focal point for bidder education. The CBIC website will continue to be updated with important and helpful resources to ensure that bidders have the necessary information to prepare for Round 2028. To sign up to receive important competitive bidding announcements and reminders, bidders and others are encouraged to subscribe to Email Updates on the CBIC website.
Reminder: Round 2028 Timeline
To ensure bidders are prepared for Round 2028, CMS has announced the following next steps for the program:
*December 2025
- CMS began pre-bidding supplier awareness program
*Late Spring/Early Summer 2026
- CMS announces specific dates for registration and bidding
- CMS announces lead items for the DMEPOS CBP product categories and number of contracts to award for each product category
- CMS begins bidder education program
*Late Summer/Early Fall 2026
- Bidder registration period to obtain user IDs and passwords begins
- Bid window opens
*Late Summer/Early Fall 2027
- Contracts awarded and single payment amounts announced
- Beneficiary education begins
*No Later Than January 1, 2028
- Start of Next Round - Contracts and single payment amounts in effect
- Six-month transition period begins for beneficiaries to switch to contract suppliers
*Dates listed are target dates
Reminder: Round 2028 DMEPOS CBP Product Categories
- Class II Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and Insulin Pumps
- Urological Supplies - will not include hydrophilic catheters
- Ostomy Supplies
- Hydrophilic Urinary Catheters
- Off-the-Shelf (OTS) Back Braces
- OTS Knee Braces
- OTS Upper Extremity Braces
Note: All product categories for the next round will be included in the Nationwide Remote Item Delivery Program.