CMS Announces Round Two Competitive Bid Deadlines
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the following deadlines:

• Suppliers of DMEPOS must be accredited or have applied for accreditation by May 14, 2008 to submit a bid for the second round of competitive bidding.  CMS cannot accept a bid from any supplier that is not accredited or that has not applied for accreditation by May 14, 2008.
• Suppliers will need to be accredited to be awarded a contract.  The accreditation deadline for the second round of competitive bidding is October 31, 2008.  Suppliers must be accredited before this date to be awarded a contract.  Suppliers should apply for accreditation immediately to allow adequate time to process their applications.

Visit the CMS Web site for information about the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding program.

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy^® (NABP^®) durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) accreditation program, approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), is the cost-effective and reliable choice for pharmacies seeking DMEPOS accreditation. In an effort to further its mission to protect the public health, NABP sought and was approved by CMS to accredit licensed pharmacies supplying DMEPOS products. Pharmacies accredited through the NABP DMEPOS program are doing their part to help ensure that Medicare beneficiaries receive the appropriate products, services, and patient care associated with DMEPOS products, as well as positioning themselves to be able to participate in CMS’ competitive bidding process. With more than 100 years experience in pharmacy, NABP understands the complexities of modern pharmacy practice and invites pharmacies seeking DMEPOS accreditation to apply to the NABP impartial and independent accreditation program.

Products Eligible for NABP Accreditation

NABP is approved to accredit suppliers of the following DMEPOS products:

• Diabetic equipment and supplies
• Enteral and parenteral nutrients, equipment, and supplies
• Off-the-shelf, non-custom products and supplies
  • Orthotics
  • Mobility aids
  • Wound care supplies
  • Urological aids
  • Medical supplies
  • Respiratory aids
    (A complete list is included within our Frequently Asked Questions section of the Web site.)

Three Steps to DMEPOS Accreditation

Verification of Licensure

• NABP collects documentation demonstrating that the pharmacy is licensed and in good standing with the applicable board(s) of pharmacy or state regulatory agency.
• NABP verifies pharmacy and appropriate staff licenses.
• NABP thoroughly screens the applicant through the NABP Disciplinary Clearinghouse.

Confirmation of Professional Policies and Procedures

• NABP assesses the pharmacy’s policies and procedures against CMS quality standards.
• NABP assesses the pharmacy’s compliance with CMS requirements for personnel, the pharmacy, record keeping, and patient services.

On-Site Survey of the Pharmacy

• Experienced surveyors evaluate operations, inspect the pharmacy, interview staff, and verify documents.
• NABP compares the pharmacy’s written policies and procedures with its actual practices.
• CMS requires that surveys are unannounced.

• Application Instructions
• Application
• CMS Quality Standards
• Competitive Bidding
• DMEPOS Covered Drugs
• FAQ
• Fees
• Information Kit
• List of Accredited Pharmacies
• Products Approved for Accreditation
• Appeals Procedure
• Archive of DMEPOS Announcements
• Contact DMEPOS Staff