Member Q&A From Craig Douglas: Round 2021 of Competitive Bidding

Published in Member Communities on March 02, 2020

Q: "How is Round 2021 of Competitive Bidding going to impact my non-Medicare business, and what should I be doing now to prepare for those changes that are coming next year?"

A: Without question, Round 2021 of Competitive Bidding (CB) will be the single largest force that will shift and shape the reimbursement landscape for DMEPOS suppliers in the foreseeable future for almost any DMEPOS supplier in the United States. Whether you conduct your business in a Competitive Bidding Area (CBA), a non-CB area, or a rural area, this upcoming round of CB will impact you, for better or worse. For many providers, these changes will not only impact their Medicare business, but their business with third-party payers as well. Providers need to review and familiarize themselves with the contract language of their existing payer agreements and to see which contracts have reimbursement rates that are tied to the Medicare fee schedule, how they are tied to Medicare, etc., so they are better prepared for the changes that are coming in 2021. VGM has developed some tools that will help providers better prepare themselves for these upcoming changes. 

If you have any questions, reach out to Craig Douglas at (877) 218-2825 or craig.douglas@vgm.com, and be sure to stay tuned for information regarding upcoming tools and webinars about this topic!

From Our Experts

HME Industry Trends 2026: Growth, Technology & Payer Strategies thumbnail HME Industry Trends 2026: Growth, Technology & Payer Strategies Discover key trends shaping the HME industry in 2026—growth drivers, technology adoption, payer strategies, and opportunities for VGM members to stay competitive. CMS Announces New Site Inspection Contractors thumbnail CMS Announces New Site Inspection Contractors Stay informed about the new site verification service contractors announced by CMS, effective January 2026. CMS Updates: Master List, F2F/WOPD List, and Required PA thumbnail CMS Updates: Master List, F2F/WOPD List, and Required PA On Wednesday, January 13, 2026, CMS released the annual updates to the Master List of DMEPOS Items Potentially Subject to Face-to-Face Encounter and Written Orders Prior to Delivery and/or Prior Authorization Requirements. Navigating the Payer Landscape: Three Tips for DME Providers thumbnail Navigating the Payer Landscape: Three Tips for DME Providers Learn how DME providers can stay ahead in the evolving payer landscape with three key strategies: know your payer mix, build stronger payer relationships, and educate referral partners. Reflecting on 2025: Advocacy, Engagement, and Member Success thumbnail Reflecting on 2025: Advocacy, Engagement, and Member Success What a year! We have lots to appreciate and a lot to look forward to in 2026. That appreciation starts with our amazing members who do life-changing work for the patients you serve. 2026: Lean on Your Village So Others Can Lean on You thumbnail 2026: Lean on Your Village So Others Can Lean on You Lindy Tentinger offers strategies for leaning on one's community, prioritizing self-care, and embracing meaningful approaches to thrive in a dynamic market. Harnessing Claims and Transparency Data for DMEPOS Market Growth thumbnail Harnessing Claims and Transparency Data for DMEPOS Market Growth Discover how healthcare providers in the DMEPOS market can leverage claims data and transparency tools to enhance growth. VGM Is Here: Navigating Medicare's Competitive Bidding thumbnail VGM Is Here: Navigating Medicare's Competitive Bidding Prepare for Medicare's next CBP round. Learn DMEPOS product categories, CBP timelines, and access VGM resources to guide your DMEPOS business.