Highlights & Headlines

Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN)

Beginning Monday, March 3, 2008, providers (including independent laboratories), physicians, practitioners, and suppliers may use the revised ABN for all situations where Medicare payment is expected to be denied. The revised ABN replaces the existing ABN-G (Form CMS-R-131G), ABN-L (Form CMS-R-131L), and NEMB (Form CMS-20007). Beginning March 1, 2009, the ABN-G and ABN-L will no longer be valid.

DMEPOS Accreditation

All existing DMEPOS suppliers enrolled in the Medicare program are required to obtain and submit an approved accreditation to the NSC by September 30, 2009. The NSC shall revoke billing privileges if the DMEPOS supplier fails to obtain and submit supporting documentation of accreditation.

• DMEPOS Accreditation Fact Sheet

PDAC News

• PDAC Contract Effective August 18, 2008
• What is the Difference Between the PDAC and the DME MACs?

Medicare Contractor Provider Satisfaction Survey (MCPSS) CMS Overview

• MCPSS Home Study Page

• Medicare Providers Remain Satisfied With Fee-For-Service Contractors (CMS Message 2008-08-29)

Competitive Bidding for DMEPOS

• Delay of the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program (CMS Message 2008-07-16)
  
  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. Items that had been included in the first round of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program can be furnished by any enrolled DMEPOS supplier in accordance with existing Medicare rules. Payment for these items will be made under the fee schedule. Additional guidance regarding this new law will be forthcoming.
  
  
• (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Implementation Contractor (CBIC) website