Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

Plus: CMS determines that negative pressure wound therapy systems don't warrant their own HCPCS code.

Suppliers waiting for the onset of competitive bidding now have a firm deadline for the program. CMS will begin accepting bids for durable medical equipment in nine metro areas starting Oct. 21, CMS's Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor said on its Web site. The bid window will be open for 60 days, and CMS will announce the bid rates and begin contracting with suppliers in June of next year, the CBIC said. The program will go into effect in January 2011. Suppliers can begin signing up for bid system user IDs and passwords on Aug. 17, according to CMS estimates.

There are a few changes from the original Round One bid, CMS noted in a release. Puerto Rico will now be excluded from the bid areas, and negative pressure wound therapy items and Group 3 complex rehabilitative power wheelchairs will be excluded from the list of bid items. Otherwise the bid areas and items remain the same.

You can access more bidding information, including the detailed timeline and entire slate of educational sessions and materials, at www.dmecompetitivebid.com.