Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord is one of nine areas across the country where the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will phase in a new program that changes the amount Medicare pays for certain durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS). The program also requires Medicare contracted suppliers to furnish these items in most cases. Starting January 1, 2011, if your Medicare patients live in or visit this area of North Carolina, and must obtain any of the equipment or supplies included in the program, they will almost always have to use Medicare contracted suppliers for Medicare to help pay for the item.
Products and equipment included are:
- Oxygen, oxygen equipment, and supplies
- Standard power wheelchairs, scooters and related accessories
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Complex rehabilitative power wheelchairs and related accessories (Group 2 only)
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Mail order diabetic supplies
- Enteral nutrients, equipment and supplies
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Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices and respiratory assist devices (RADs) and related supplies and accessories
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Hospital beds and related accessories
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Walkers and related accessories
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Support surfaces (Group 2)(mattresses and overlays in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pampano Beach only)
If your patients currently rent oxygen and oxygen equipment or durable medical equipment, they may be able to continue renting these items from their current supplier when the program takes effect, if the supplier decides to participate in the program as a “grandfathered” supplier.
CLICK HERE for resources to better understand the new program.
CLICK HERE for DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program Medicare Learning Network Fact Sheets.
