CMS Publishes a New Rule Affecting DME Providers

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published a new rule affecting Durable Medical Equipment (DME) providers.  The rule, effective September 27, 2010, strengthens Medicare’s standards for marketing and solicitations and expands enrollment requirements for DMEPOS providers.

Important highlights from the rule include:

– DME providers will be required to remain open to the public for at least 30 hours per week, except for physicians or licensed non-physician practitioners furnishing services to their own patients as part of their professional service and DME providers working with custom orthotics and prosthetics.

– DME providers must continue to maintain ordering and referring documentation from physicians or non-physician practitioners.

– DMEPOS providers must establish and maintain billing privileges in the Medicare program.

For more information on rules affecting DME Providers or Medicare billing regulations, please visit www.wachler.com or contact a Wachler & Associates attorney at 248-544-0888.