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CMS Makes Finalized Change to DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program

Published in Government Relations on August 11, 2026

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the FY 2027 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) Final Rule (CMS-1845-F), increasing the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program’s bid surety bond amount to $100,000 (previously $50,000). 

DMEPOS providers intending to submit a Round 2028 bid are encouraged to review the bid surety requirements on the CBIC website and be on the lookout for an update from CMS regarding the registration and bidding dates. 

From the CMS Fact Sheet dated July 30, 2026: 

Finalized Change to the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP)  

As part of the FY 2027 IRF PPS final rule, CMS finalized the update to the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program’s bid surety bond requirements. The final change increases the bid surety bond amount from $50,000 to $100,000 for bids submitted under a Remote Item Delivery (RID) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) and requires only one $100,000 bid surety bond per bidding entity, regardless of how many competitions under the RID CBP it bids on. For all other competitions, the bid surety bond amount remains $50,000, and bidding entities must obtain a separate bid surety bond for each competitive bidding area. This change aims to deter bidders from submitting disingenuous bids.  

CMS has launched the first phase of its Round 2028 DMEPOS CBP bidder education initiative. This early education phase provides prospective DMEPOS suppliers with important information about the upcoming bidding process, eligibility requirements, and key program changes before the registration and bidding periods open, giving them ample time to prepare.

For more information, review the Round 2028 bidder education materials and Frequently Asked Questions, and sign up for the Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor’s list at: www.dmecompetitivebid.com.  

Providers interested in obtaining a Competitive Bid Round 2028 bid bond are encouraged to submit a quote request to bondinfo@vgminsurance.com.

The final rule can be viewed on the Federal Register at: https://www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/current.  

For questions regarding the CMS Competitive Bidding Program, contact Melanie Ewald at melanie.ewald@vgm.com. 

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