So that we can appropriately advise our members in the most timeliest fashion possible, the AOPA staff continually monitors the Medicare competitive bidding website, for updates on the next round of Medicare competitive bidding, scheduled to begin in January 2028.
Recently, the website was updated on August 3rd and again on August 13th with several additional factsheets about the program. One significant update was the publication of the expected number of contracts that will be awarded under the Remote Item Delivery (RID) nationwide delivery model. Based on the methodology outlined in the previously published final rule, CMS anticipates the award of only 3 contracts for OTS spinal orthoses, 4 contracts for OTS knee orthoses, and 5 contracts for OTS upper extremity orthoses. These are fewer anticipated contracts than previously indicated by CMS.
One of AOPA’s long-standing advocacy strategies is the exemption of orthotists and prosthetists from participation in Medicare competitive bidding. The latest announcement reinforces the importance of our advocacy and AOPA will continue to be your voice with CMS and on Capitol Hill for this exemption.
It is expected that the timeline for bidder registration for Competitive Bidding Round 2028 will be announced shortly. AOPA will communicate new details about the program as soon they are released.
Questions regarding this issue should be sent to Joe McTernan at jmcternan@aopanet.org or Devon Bernard at dbernard@aopanet.org.