Healthcare Reform’s Changes to Home Health Certification and DME Certification

The healthcare reform legislation included changes for home health and DME providers. First of all, DME or home health services may only be ordered for Medicare beneficiaries by Medicare enrolled physicians or eligible professionals. In addition, Medicare enrolled physicians are required to have a face-to-face encounter with a patient prior to issuing a certification for home health services or written order for DME. Finally, Medicare physicians, suppliers, and providers are required to maintain and provide access to documentation related to written orders or requests for payment for DME, certifications for home health services or referrals for other items and services. Failure to maintain these documents or to provide access to them could result in the revocation of enrollment for not more than one year for each act.

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