Medicare CAP bidding process suspended

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has suspended the current Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP) vendor bidding process for which bids were previously due Aug. 5. Any bids received by CMS will be returned to the bidder without review, the agency said. At a later time, the CMS web site will provide updates on revised bidding deadlines and additional information about implementation of CAP.

The bidding was suspended to allow CMS to review public comments to the CAP interim final rule and to implement further clarifications to the bidding process. CMS will be accepting comments on the CAP interim final rule Sept. 6. A final rule is slated to be published in late 2005, when bidding for vendors will reopen. After vendors are announced, CMS will conduct an election period, during which physicians can choose to participate in the CAP and enroll with a particular vendor.

Watch for more details on CAP and its potential impact on urologists in the September issue of Urology Times.