News

Feb 23, 2021

The DMEPOS Download

by Lesa Merchant, VP of DMEPOS/Pharmacy Division

There is no getting around 2020 having been one of the roughest years that any of us can remember. Looking back, I noticed that there were many bright spots to be found.

One of the positive turn of events was the significant scaling back of the 2021 round of competitive bidding. Late in the fall, it was announced that the only competitive bid category to remain was off-the-shelf orthotics, and all other bid categories had been eliminated.

This created the opportunity for many businesses to expand or reintroduce product lines that were originally included in the bid categories. We worked with many of you to accomplish just that. For those that are still contemplating adding products, please call our home office and we will be happy to discuss the specifics of that process.

For TCT, the ability to have our staff work remotely and conduct Real-time Remote™ (RtR) accreditation visits has also been tremendously beneficial. Our staff has been able to work with our clients remotely to enable them to achieve a new accreditation and get enrolled with Medicare, or to renew accreditation and ensure continuous billing privileges.

We have also had the opportunity to talk to all of you more than we would have when we are busy running around the U.S. doing on-site visits. It has been our pleasure to have this chance to develop more personal connections.

We have been reminded that flexibility is key in this unpredictable environment; our clients have been innovative with limited resources and managed to take exceptional care of patients and staff while on this rollercoaster ride. We salute you!

May the bright spots far outshine the dim in 2021.

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DMEPOS News Bites

  • The Public Health Emergency was renewed until April 21, 2021, by the Secretary of Health & Human Services on January 7, 2021.
  • CMS has not been enforcing signature requirements on proof of delivery documentation for DMEPOS provided within the public health emergency (PHE) for the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • When a signature cannot be obtained due to Covid-19, suppliers must document the date of delivery and note that a signature could not be obtained due to Covid-19.  The DMEPOS Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC) require the use of the “CR” modifier and a narrative description of “Covid-19” on all claims affected by the PHE, including circumstances in which a signature is not able to be collected on proof of delivery documents.  Please visit the MAC for your jurisdiction for additional instruction if needed.
  • Please visit the CMS Flexibilities for DMEPOS Suppliers document to review all areas affected by PHE waivers: https://www.cms.gov/files/document/covid-dme.pdf
  • The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has recently engaged subcontractors of the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC) to call suppliers to verify addresses and whether staff are working in the physical location or from home.  The NSC continues to conduct in-person inspections.
  • Please remember to notify The Compliance Team, as well as the NSC, to report significant changes to your business, such as closures, change of address or ownership or limited business hours.
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