June 2, 2009
DMEPOS Supplier Accreditation – Time is Running Out!
Deadline is September 30, 2009
Time is running out for suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics,
orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) who bill Medicare under Part B to obtain
accreditation by the September 30, 2009 deadline or risk having their Medicare
Part B billing privileges revoked on October 1, 2009. A new MLN Matters Special
Edition articles on this subject is now available. This article outlines
what you need to do if you have not yet complied with the Medicare Program’s supplier and quality
standards to be come accredited. To view the article, go to: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/SE0903.pdf 
on
the CMS website.
While the accreditation process takes on average 6-7 months to complete, the process could take as long as 9 months to complete. Accordingly, DMEPOS suppliers should contact an accreditation organization right away to obtain information about the accreditation process and submit an application.
In order to retain or obtain a Medicare Part B billing number, all DMEPOS suppliers (except for exempted professionals and other persons as specified by the Secretary) must comply with the Medicare program’s supplier standards and quality standards to become accredited. The accreditation requirement applies to suppliers of durable medical equipment, medical supplies, home dialysis supplies and equipment, therapeutic shoes, parenteral/enteral nutrition, transfusion medicine and prosthetic devices, and prosthetics and orthotics.
Pharmacies, pedorthists, mastectomy fitters, orthopedic fitters/technicians and athletic trainers must also meet the September 30, 2009 deadline for DMEPOS accreditation. Certain eligible professionals and other persons as specified by the Secretary are exempt from the accreditation requirement.
Further information on the DMEPOS accreditation requirements, along with a list of the accreditation organizations and those professionals and other persons exempted from accreditation, may be found at the CMS website: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MedicareProviderSupEnroll/03_DeemedAccreditationOrganizations.asp.
