Big news for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers — the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program is opening up for the 2028 round.
This round of the Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) will include a more streamlined submission process, more strict supplier accreditation guidelines, and a $50,000 bid bond requirement. Learn all about the bidding program categories, timeline, and document requirements below.
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What DMEPOS Products Will Be Included in the 2028 CBP Round?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the 2028 DMEPOS competitive bidding round will include 7 bidding categories:
- Class II Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and Insulin Pumps
- Urological Supplies
- Ostomy Supplies
- Hydrophilic Urinary Catheters
- Off-The-Shelf (OTS) Back Braces
- OTS Knee Braces
- OTS Upper Extremity Braces
This is the first time in history that urological and ostomy supplies are being included in the competitive bidding process for Medicare reimbursement.
Each product category will have a different number of contract suppliers calculated using 2025/2026 claims data. However, the CMS has estimated the following number of contract suppliers per category:
- CGMs and Insulin Pumps: ~10 suppliers
- Urological and Ostomy Supplies: ~8 suppliers
- Hydrophilic Urinary Catheters: ~8 suppliers
- OTS Knee and Upper Extremity Braces: ~6 suppliers
- OTS Back Braces: ~4 suppliers
Exact numbers will be announced in early 2026. See the section below for more details on the registration timeline.
When Does Bidder Registration Start?
The CMS has not yet announced exact dates for when registration opens or when DMEPOS supplier bids are due. However, there is a loose timeline of target dates provided by the CMS for the 2026–2028 DMEPOS supplier bidding cycle:
- Late Spring/Early Summer 2026: Bidder education program and announcements for lead items and number of contracts to be awarded per category
- Late Summer/Early Fall 2026: Bidder registration and bid window open
- Late Summer/Early Fall 2027: Contracts to be awarded and single payment amount (SPA) announcements
- Winter 2027: Single payment amounts and contracts go into effect
By January 1, 2028 or sooner, the 6-month transition period to new contract suppliers will begin.
Surety Bond Requirement for DMEPOS Suppliers
All DMEPOS suppliers submitting a bid must file a $50,000 bid bond. If you’re submitting for multiple competitive bidding areas (CBAs), you’ll need a unique bond for each CBA.
What’s a bid bond? It’s essentially a financial guarantee that bidders will fulfill the contract at the bidded price and terms. This prevents frivolous or dishonest bidding and project incompletion. These types of bonds are most commonly used in bids for federal construction contracts.
Bid Bond Defined
How Much Does the $50,000 Bond Cost?
The DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program surety bond cost for DMEPOS suppliers with good credit typically starts at $475. However, the surety underwriters will review your credit score and financials to determine personalized pricing.
As an online agency, SuretyBonds.com works with the top surety providers to match applicants with the best pricing for their $50,000 bond. Apply for your DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program bond now.
What If There’s an Error on My DMEPOS Bid Bond?
The information on your surety bond must be accurate and match the information on your bid application. If the CMS determines there are any issues with your bond, you have 10 business days to submit a bond rider. This is a form that you’ll attach to your original bond, correcting the deficiencies.
If you purchased your DMEPOS supplier accreditation bond from SuretyBonds.com, just call 1 (800) 308-4358 to request your bond rider.
Supplier Financial Document Requirements
In addition to the $50,000 bond, you’ll also need to submit a business credit report with your DMEPOS contract supplier bid.
If you have not been in business long enough to have a credit score or rating, you must provide a personal credit report for your Authorized Official or Delegated Official listed in the Medicare PECOS system instead.
What Is the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program?
The Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, & Supplies Competitive Bidding Program is a program that assists Medicare in setting reasonable payment rates for DMEPOS items.
This program aims to benefit taxpayers and beneficiaries and limit abuse in the Medicare program by ensuring beneficiaries have access to quality and affordable DMEPOS items.
What’s a DMEPOS Competitive Bid?
The CMS defines a DMEPOS competitive bid as, “an offer to furnish an item or items for a particular price and time period that includes, where appropriate, any services that are directly related to the furnishing of the item or items.”
How Do I Submit My DMEPOS Bid?
This round, the CMS is streamlining the bidding and documentation upload process through Connexian portal. You’ll submit all bids and supporting documents through this system.
We’ll update this page with the portal link once it is live.