CMS Meets with Academy, Others About DMEPOS Quality Standards

CMS agreed that the DMEPOS standards are primarily aimed at larger licensed retail suppliers, and the coalition was offered an opportunity to provide suggestions on how CMS might lessen the burden for physician suppliers. CMS stressed, however, that the law that initiated accreditation for DMEPOS specifically requires physicians and other health care providers to be included. Typically, physician practice accreditation costs about $3,000, a rate that makes it untenable for ophthalmology practices. Existing providers who are currently Medicare enrolled, have their National Provider Information number and have an existing National Supplier Clearinghouse number, have until September 2009 to become accredited.