In an April 18 press release, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) reported significant savings in the first year of the durable medical equipment (DME) competitive biding program.  The program, implemented in nine metropolitan statistical areas, saw a reduction of 42 percent in costs resulting in a savings of $202 million. 

Round 2 of the DME competitive biding program expands biding from 70 to 91 metropolitan statistical areas across the country.  For a timeline of the competitive biding program through the 2013 implementation of Round 2 contracts, visit the CMS competitive biding website.