VGMHealthcare MSO
Full Menu

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

Published in VGM Government Relations on December 17, 2025

A major development to come out of the CMS DMEPOS/Home Health Final Rule is the creation of a new Remote Item Delivery (RID) competitive bid program (CBP). This article provides the key items DMEPOS suppliers need to be aware of regarding this significant development in the competitive bidding program. 

What is it?  

CMS defines the “Remote item delivery competitive bidding program” to mean “a competitive bidding program wherein contract suppliers are responsible for furnishing remote item delivery items under a product category to all Medicare beneficiaries regardless of where they live in the competitive bid area (CBA).” 

What is a Remote Item Delivery Item?  

“Remote item delivery item” is “an item falling under a remote item delivery competitive bidding program that may be shipped or delivered to a beneficiary’s home, regardless of the method of delivery, or picked up at a local pharmacy or supplier storefront if the beneficiary or caregiver for the beneficiary chooses to pick the item up in person.” 

What does a RID CBP cover?  

CMS clarified that the nationwide RID CBP as: “The CBA could be one nationwide CBA that includes all areas (all states, territories, and the District of Columbia) or a CBA covering a specific region of the country.” The RID CBP is limited to items that are typically provided on a national mail order basis, meaning the items may be shipped or delivered to patient’s home, or the item could be picked up locally at a contracted supplier. 

What does this mean for suppliers?  

Only contracted suppliers can provide items included in the nationwide RID CBP. Contracted suppliers will be responsible “for furnishing the items on either a mail order or non-mail order basis under the product category to all Medicare beneficiaries, regardless of where they live in the CBA.” For a beneficiary that resides in the CBA to receive an item at a local store, the supplier will need to be a contract supplier or a subcontractor of the contract supplier. However, suppliers are not required to have a local have a physical location near a beneficiary. Further, contract suppliers awarded for each product category will be responsible for furnishing all items under the product category to all Medicare beneficiaries regardless of where they live in the CBA. 

What do I need to know about the RID CBP CBAs? 

CMS has stated that the RID CBP will be a nationwide program and may be either one national CBA or multiple regional CBAs. CMS has also reserved the right to phase in the RID CBP using a small region. Regardless of the size of the RID CBA, to be eligible for a contract, suppliers will be required to meet specific, detailed DMEPOS supplier and quality standards, and applicable State and Federal licensing and brick and mortar location requirements, where applicable, and be accredited by an approved independent accrediting organization in every state the CBA covers. 

Still have questions?  

Find the Final Rule, CMS Fact Sheet, and other resources on VGM’s Competitive Bidding Resource Page and van Halem Group - Competitive Bidding Program. 

From Our Experts

HME Suppliers Guide to the 2026 Elections thumbnail HME Suppliers Guide to the 2026 Elections As policymakers at both the federal and state levels continue to shape healthcare policy, it is more important than ever for HME suppliers to stay informed and engaged. Decisions made by elected officials can have a significant impact on patient access to care, reimbursement, regulatory requirements, and the future of the home medical equipment industry. Showing Up...It Matters! thumbnail Showing Up...It Matters! We've all heard the phrase, "Showing up matters." That can mean a lot of different things at different times in our lives, even changing daily. Perhaps it means leaving work early to attend your children's event. Maybe it means not missing that important meeting at work. No doubt, both of those things are important. For us here in the Government Relations corner of VGM Group, it means something additional. Matthew Flatt: A Champion for Change in Home Medical Equipment thumbnail Matthew Flatt: A Champion for Change in Home Medical Equipment In every industry, there are people who do more than simply lead organizations. They inspire progress, build relationships, and create lasting change. In the home medical equipment (HME) industry, Matthew Flatt, CEO of Medicap Home Medical (formerly NuCara Home Medical) and President of the Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services (MAMES), is one of those individuals... Full Legislative Text Released for Bipartisan Ostomy and Urological Supply Bill- H.R. 10787 thumbnail Full Legislative Text Released for Bipartisan Ostomy and Urological Supply Bill- H.R. 10787 Representatives Brad Schneider (IL-10) and Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03) have introduced the bipartisan Access to Medical Supplies Act, legislation designed to protect Medicare beneficiaries who rely on ostomy and urological supplies. The bill would... Action Alert: Support H.R. 10787 to Protect Patient Access to Urological and Ostomy Supplies thumbnail Action Alert: Support H.R. 10787 to Protect Patient Access to Urological and Ostomy Supplies The DMEPOS community has an important opportunity to protect access to vital urological and ostomy supplies for Medicare beneficiaries. Rep. Greg Murphy (R-NC) and Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) have introduced H.R. 10787, bipartisan legislation that would amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to exclude urological and ostomy supplies from Medicare competitive acquisition programs for five years... CMS Announces Registration and Bid Window Dates for Round 2028 of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program thumbnail CMS Announces Registration and Bid Window Dates for Round 2028 of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Yesterday, CMS announced the Round 2028 bidding details with registration opening December 1, 2026, and the bid window opening January 5, 2027. The new Round 2028 timeline is as follows... Congratulations to CAMPS On This Important Legislative Victory thumbnail Congratulations to CAMPS On This Important Legislative Victory The signing of AB 1794 is another reminder of the critical role state associations play in shaping healthcare policy, removing barriers to patient care, and ensuring providers have a seat at the table when important decisions are made. Legislative successes like this do not happen by accident. They are the result of engaged members, strong advocacy efforts, and collaboration with policymakers to address real-world challenges facing providers and the patients they serve. S.247, Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025, Passes U.S. Senate thumbnail S.247, Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025, Passes U.S. Senate S.247, Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025 has passed in the Senate through unanimous consent. It now heads to the President to be signed into law. Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), The Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2025 would...