On Tuesday, December 21, 2021, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) finally released an update on the DME rule. Numerous provisions were made, and the most important one secured the 50/50 blended rate for suppliers in rural areas! This ensures that all communities, even underserved communities, have access to DME without an increased cost to suppliers.
These provisions will go into effect at the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE).
Industry Issues Still Remain
While many CMS provisions will impact Medicare reimbursement for DME, several issues still need to be addressed.
- Extend the 75/25 blended rate for non-rural areas after the COVID-19 PHE ends.
- Adjust CBAs rates to reflect the current product and operational costs.
- Exempt manual wheelchair accessories from the competitive bid program-derived pricing.
You can review the entire list of reimbursement measures that need to be addressed here. Thank you, AAHomecare, for constantly informing decision-makers about the DME industry and our needs.
You can read the press release on CMS’s Final Rule and the official Rule Text.
Medbill Your Source for Industry Updates
At Medbill, we help keep our customers and the industry informed on the latest regulations and changes. Contact us to learn how to help you stay compliant with all your DME billing needs.