On September 10, 2008, CMS announced that the 2009 Medicare Part B drug competitive acquisition program (CAP) is being postponed indefinitely. The CAP is a voluntary program that offers physicians the option to acquire many injectable and infused Part B drugs from an approved CAP vendor, rather than buying and billing the drugs directly. While CMS notes that it received several qualified bids for the 2009-11 CAP, "contractual issues with the successful bidders resulted in CMS postponing the 2009 program." The physician election for 2009 CAP participation therefore will not be held, and CAP drugs will not be available from an approved CAP vendor for dates of service after December 31, 2008. CMS is considering implementing change to the CAP before proceeding with another bid solicitation.