The anticipated expansion of the Medicare competitive bidding program for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies will occur in July, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced yesterday. CMS estimates that Medicare will pay substantially less for products involved in the Round 2 expansion, including about 45% less for eight categories of products and 72% less for diabetic testing supplies. The new competitively bid products will include oxygen equipment; wheelchairs and scooters; enteral nutrients; continuous positive airway pressure devices and respiratory assist devices; hospital beds; walkers; negative pressure wound therapy pumps; and support surfaces such as mattresses. Round 2 also will expand the number of markets in the competitive bidding program to 91 from 70, and make diabetic testing supplies available through a nationwide mail-order program. Hospitals will retain the ability to provide walkers to discharged patients without being contracted DMEPOS suppliers.