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VGM Is Here for the DMEPOS Industry: Navigating Competitive Bidding

Published in Member Communities on December 19, 2025

Navigating Medicare's Competitive Bidding

Medicare’s Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) is returning with significant changes that will impact suppliers nationwide. The next round introduces nationwide Remote Item Delivery (RID) for select products, shifts to annual accreditation, and updates pricing methodology. Contracts will take effect no later than Jan. 1, 2028, with bidder education and registration starting in 2026. 

What does this mean for your business? 

  • Fewer contracts per category 
  • Expanded service requirements 
  • Tighter compliance standards 

Now is the time to prepare—credit reports, licensure, and operational readiness will be critical. VGM is here to guide you every step of the way. 

Helpful Articles on Competitive Bidding 

The DMEPOS Competitive Bid Program (CBP) And The New Remote Item Delivery Competitive Bidding Program – What Suppliers Need To Know 

This article provides the key items DMEPOS suppliers need to be aware of regarding the significant development of the creation of a new Remote Item Delivery (RID) in the Competitive Bidding Program. 

CMS Changes Accreditation Requirements For All DMEPOS Suppliers Effective January 1, 2026 

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, CMS will require all DMEPOS suppliers to undergo annual accreditation surveys instead of the previous three-year cycle.  

FAQs from the Webinar: Understanding the Final Rule  

VGM Government Relations team members answer top supplier questions from VGM’s webinar on CMS-1828-F. Some key takeaways: 

  • Confirmed RID product categories: CGMs, insulin pumps, urological and ostomy supplies, hydrophilic urinary catheters, and off-the-shelf braces. 
  • Annual accreditation begins Jan. 1, 2026. 
  • Requirements for credit reports, surety bonds, and contract dates leading up to 2028 implementation. 

HME News: Medicare’s Next Competitive Bidding Round — How to Get Ready 

Action steps are highlighted to prepare for the CBP from industry experts like Ronda Buhrmester, Senior Director of Payer Relations and Reimbursement for VGM & Associates, and Kelly Grahovac, General Manager of The van Halem Group. 

  • Pull a business credit report and ensure multi-state licensure. 
  • Review accreditation and enrollment compliance. 
  • Perform scenario planning and financial modeling. 
  • Tighten operational efficiency ahead of lower reimbursement expectations. 

Major Update on Product Categories for the Next CBP 

VGM Government Relations highlights CMS will not expand categories beyond those in the final rule—all will fall under Nationwide RID. Hydrophilic urinary catheters are separate from the broader urological category, and legacy items (oxygen, beds, CPAP, etc.) are exempt from this round. 

CMS Finalizes Rule Changing the Next CBP & Provider Enrollment 

Originally published Dec. 1, VGM Government Relations breaks down CMS-1828-F, including product categories, RID structure, and a new timeline targeting implementation by Jan. 1, 2028. The new SPA calculation is specified, which is the 75th percentile of winning bids for lead items; area-specific 2015 fee-schedule ratios for non-lead. Details are also shared about the annual accreditation requirement, reduced documentation thresholds (e.g., credit reports only), and consolidated bid system in Connexion. 

VGM Is Here to Help 

VGM is here to help and will continue sharing resources and information about the CBP along the way. For more resources on competitive bidding, click here. 

TAGS

  1. cms
  2. competitive bidding
  3. vgm government

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