Archived on October 27, 2008

CMS Quality Standards

CMS posted revised Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies Quality Standards in October 2008. The older standards, issued in August 2008, can be viewed here.

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 was enacted on July 15, 2008. This new law has delayed the Medicare durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program. As a result of this delay, the special accreditation deadlines previously established for the second round of the program have been cancelled. Specifically, prior to enactment of this new law, suppliers must have been accredited or have applied for accreditation by July 21, 2008, to be eligible to submit a bid for the second round of competitive bidding and must have obtained accreditation by January 14, 2009, to be eligible for a second round contract. Both of these deadlines have been cancelled and no longer apply.

CMS Announces Round Two Competitive Bid Deadlines
On March 13, 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the following deadlines:

• Suppliers of DMEPOS must be accredited or have applied for accreditation by May 14, 2008 to submit a bid for the second round of competitive bidding.  CMS cannot accept a bid from any supplier that is not accredited or that has not applied for accreditation by May 14, 2008.
• Suppliers will need to be accredited to be awarded a contract.  The accreditation deadline for the second round of competitive bidding is October 31, 2008.  Suppliers must be accredited before this date to be awarded a contract.  Suppliers should apply for accreditation immediately to allow adequate time to process their applications.

Visit the CMS Web site for information about the Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Bidding program.

CMS Requests Public Comments on the Revised DMEPOS Quality Standards.

The 2006 DMEPOS Accreditation Quality Standards are being posted for a 30-day public comment period. Only the underlined/highlighted portions of the document are open for comment. They have undergone minor revisions/clarification. Comments must be received electronically or by mail no later than 5 pm EST, on Tuesday, March 18, 2008. The guidelines on how to submit your comments are located here.

CMS Announces Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) and Product Categories for Second Phase of Competitive Bidding Program  

On January 8, 2008, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the 70 new areas across the nation that will be part of the second phase of a competitive bidding program designed to help lower Medicare beneficiaries’ out-of-pocket costs and improve their access to certain high quality durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS). Ten areas currently participate in the program providing greater beneficiary access to certain DMEPOS, including standard and complex power wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen supplies and equipment, hospital beds and certain devices.  

CMS Press Release
CMS Fact Sheet  

The Beneficiary Tip Sheet and MSA Data are now Live and may be found on Medicare.GOV:
*Beneficiary DMEPOS
*Beneficiary Tip Sheet 

CMS Announces DMEPOS Accreditation Deadline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) hosted a Special Open Door Forum during which the following announcement was made:

• The deadline by which all DMEPOS suppliers need to be accredited is on or before September 30, 2009.  If not accredited by that date, the supplier's National Supplier Clearinghouse DMEPOS billing privileges will be revoked.

• Application Instructions
• Application
• CMS Quality Standards
• Competitive Bidding
• DMEPOS Covered Drugs
• FAQ
• Fees
• Information Kit
• List of Accredited Pharmacies
• Medicare Supplier Standards
• MIPPA Fact Sheet
• Products Approved for Accreditation
• Appeals Procedure
• Archive of DMEPOS Announcements
• Contact DMEPOS Staff