Remote Item Delivery Competitive Bidding Program
A Remote Item Delivery (RID) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) is a competitive bidding program wherein Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CBP) suppliers (contract suppliers) are responsible for furnishing the applicable item(s) to all Medicare beneficiaries regardless of where they live in the RID competitive bidding area (CBA). The RID CBA could be one nationwide CBA that includes all areas (all states, territories, and the District of Columbia) or a CBA covering a specific region of the country.
For Round 2028 of the DMEPOS CBP, CMS will have one nationwide RID CBA that includes all states, territories, and the District of Columbia.
A CBA is an area established by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) where suppliers bid to be awarded contract(s) to furnish competitively priced DMEPOS. In a CBA, Medicare payment may only be made to contract suppliers for competitively bid lead and non-lead items furnished to beneficiaries unless an exception applies. For DMEPOS CBP Round 2028, each item included under an RID CBP is already furnished primarily by suppliers from remote locations. As stated in the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System Final Rule (CMS-1828-F), CMS anticipates limiting RID CBPs to product categories that are typically furnished to beneficiaries from remote supplier locations, or locations that are hundreds of miles on average from the beneficiary residence where the items are delivered.
Under a RID CBP, a contract supplier is required to deliver or ship items to a beneficiary’s home. Contract suppliers may also furnish items on a non-mail-order basis, allowing beneficiaries or their caregivers to pick up items at a local pharmacy or contract supplier location if the beneficiary or caregiver for the beneficiary chooses to pick the item up in person.