Medicare Blog

what to do when you have returned dme from a medicare patient

by Edgardo Hilpert Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

According to National Government Services, one of four Medicare DME MACs: 1) Submit a claim with the FULL billing amount you usually bill. a. Date of Service should be Date of Refusal or Date of Death 2) Include in the narrative section a brief explanation of the situation. Mention that the item ‘has no salvage value and is a complete loss’.

Full Answer

How does Medicare pay for DME?

Medicare pays for different kinds of DME in different ways. Depending on the type of equipment: You may need to rent the equipment. You may need to buy the equipment. You may be able to choose whether to rent or buy the equipment. Medicare will only cover your DME if your doctors and DME suppliers are enrolled in Medicare.

Should I rent or buy my DME equipment?

You may be able to choose whether to rent or buy the equipment. Medicare will only cover your DME if your doctors and DME suppliers are enrolled in Medicare. Doctors and suppliers have to meet strict standards to enroll and stay enrolled in Medicare. If your doctors or suppliers aren’t enrolled, Medicare won’t pay the claims submitted by them.

How long does DME take to replace?

Replacing DME. If your equipment is worn out, Medicare will only replace it if you have had the item in your possession for its whole lifetime. An item’s lifetime depends on the type of equipment but, in the context of getting a replacement, it is never less than five years from the date that you began using the equipment.

What should I ask my suppliers before I get DME?

It’s important to ask your suppliers if they participate in Medicare before you get DME. If suppliers are participating suppliers, they must accept assignment (which means, they can charge you only the coinsurance and Part B deductible for the Medicare‑approved amount).

Does Medicare require authorization for DME?

Authorization is not required for the purchase, rental, repair or maintenance of DME for recipients covered by both Medicare and Medi-Cal (crossover recipients). However, if Medicare does not approve the purchase, repair or maintenance of DME, the claim is subject to all Medi-Cal authorization requirements.

What are the documentation guidelines for DME?

Documentation, including pertinent portions of the beneficiary's medical records (e.g., history, physical examination, diagnostic tests, summary of findings, diagnoses, treatment plans), supporting the medical necessity of the prescribed PMD must be furnished to the supplier within 45 days of the examination.

What is required when billing Medicare for repair of previously purchased equipment?

With respect to Medicare reimbursement for the repair, there are two documentation requirements: Treating physician/practitioner must document that the item being repaired continues to be reasonable and necessary. Treating physician or supplier must document that the repair itself is reasonable and necessary.

What is modifier RR?

RR — RENTAL. ( USE THIS 'R' MODIFIER WHEN DME IS TO BE RENTED) This modifier is used for DME items that are rented, and will be used for equipment in the following categories: Inexpensive or other Routinely purchased DME (IRP) Frequent or Substantial Servicing (FS)

How long is a DME script good for?

Prescriptions may be written for "Lifetime Need" or "99 Months". Such a prescription may be used for the prescribed equipment as often as needed to continue therapy. If a prescription notes a number of refills, it will be valid to dispense the listed equipment the number of times shown on the prescription.

How do you write DME order?

Standardized DMEPOS Written Order/PrescriptionBeneficiary name or Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) Number.Description of the item.Quantity, if applicable.Treating practitioner name or National Provider Identifier (NPI)Date of the order.Treating practitioner signature.

What is the RB modifier used for?

In contrast, the RB modifier is used on a DMEPOS claim to denote the replacement of a part of a DMEPOS item (base equipment/device) furnished as part of the service of repairing the DMEPOS item (base equipment/device).

Does DME need a modifier?

In addition to an appropriate HCPCS code for the DME item, many HCPCS codes require a modifier. The modifiers are used to provide more information about the item.

What is the POS for DME?

DME Suppliers The following POS codes would qualify as the patient's home: 01, 04, 09, 12, 13, 14, 16, 31, 32, 33, 54, 55, 56, and 65. DME suppliers should report the POS code where the device is intended to be used. DME dispensed for use in a POS other than the patient's home are not reimbursable.

What is KX modifier for DME?

The KX modifier represents the presence of required documentation is on file to support the medical necessity of the item.

What does modifier KF mean?

Modifier KF is a pricing modifier. The HCPCS codes for DME designated as class III devices by the FDA are identified on the DMEPOS fee schedule by presence of the KF modifier.

When should KX modifier be used?

The KX modifier, described in subsection D., is added to claim lines to indicate that the clinician attests that services at and above the therapy caps are medically necessary and justification is documented in the medical record.

What is the criteria for documentation of medical necessity?

Well, as we explain in this post, to be considered medically necessary, a service must: “Be safe and effective; Have a duration and frequency that are appropriate based on standard practices for the diagnosis or treatment; Meet the medical needs of the patient; and.

What must be on the valid detailed written order?

A detailed written order (“DWO”) must be obtained prior to billing a claim to Medicare. A DWO must contain the following: name of the beneficiary; date of the order; and a description of the items (by HCPCS code narrative or brand name/model number).

Which CMS publications provide medical necessity guidelines?

ResourcesCMS Internet Only Manual (IOM), Publication 100-08, Medicare Program Integrity Manual, Chapter 13, Local Coverage Determinations.American Medical Association (AMA) Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Manual.Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Manual.

What is a 5 element order?

The 6407- required order is referred to as a five-element order (5EO). The 5EO must meet all of the requirements below: The 5EO must include all of the following elements: Beneficiary's name. Item of DME ordered - this may be general – e.g., "hospital bed"– or may be more specific.

When will CMS reprocess claims?

Claims for these accessories submitted prior to July 1, 2020, with dates of service from January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2020, will need to be reprocessed to ensure that CMS pays the unadjusted fee schedule amounts, as required by section 106 of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020.

When will Medicare change the KU modifier?

As aforementioned, these system changes will be implemented on July 1, 2020.

What is gap filling in Medicare?

For newly covered items of DMEPOS paid on a fee schedule basis where a Medicare fee does not exist , the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) uses a process to establish fees called gap-filling. This allows Medicare to establish a price that aligns with the statutory requirements for the DMEPOS fee schedule.

What is a DMEPOS file?

The DMEPOS public use file contains fee schedules for certain items that were adjusted based on information from the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program in accordance with Section 1834 (a) (1) (F) of the Act.

What is TTFT in Medicare?

TTFT is a system consisting of an electromagnetic field generator and transducer arrays and will be covered under the Medicare Part B benefit for durable medical equipment (DME) for items and services furnished on or after September 1, 2019.

When does the Cares Act end?

Section 3712 (a) of the CARES Act extends the current adjusted fee schedule methodology that pays for certain items furnished in rural and non-contiguous non-CBAs based on a 50/50 blend of adjusted and unadjusted fee schedule amounts through December 31, 2020 or through the duration of the PHE, whichever is later.

Does Medicare cover CGMs?

Based on input from patients and other stakeholders, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing important changes in its written policies regarding how Medicare covers continuous glucose monitors (CGMs). These changes are consistent with the Agency’s approach of putting patients first and incentivizing innovation and use of e-technology.

Once you file your complaint, your supplier must

Let you know they got your complaint and are investigating it within 5 calendar days.

Need help filing a complaint?

Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free, personalized help.

note

For questions about a specific service you got, look at your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or log into your secure Medicare account . You can file an appeal if you disagree with a coverage or payment decision made by one of these:

How to find DME suppliers?

To find out if Medicare covers the equipment or supplies you need, or to find DME suppliers in your area, call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov.

How long does Medicare cover worn out equipment?

An item’s lifetime depends on the type of equipment but, in the context of getting a replacement, it is never less than five years from the date that you began using the equipment.

What does it mean to replace equipment?

Replacing equipment means substituting one item for an identical or nearly identical item. For example, Medicare will pay for you to switch from one manual wheelchair to another, but it will not pay for you to replace a manual wheelchair with an electric wheelchair or a motorized scooter.

Does Medicare pay for DME replacement?

Medicare will pay for repairs up to the cost of replacement. To be eligible for a DME replacement, your primary care provider must write you a new order or prescription that explains your medical need. It is most cost-effective to use a Medicare-approved supplier who takes assignment .

How long does Medicare pay for a wheelchair?

Most equipment is initially rented, including many manual and power wheelchairs. Original Medicare covers 80% of the cost of a monthly rental fee for 13 months. You pay a 20% coinsurance. After 13 months, ownership is typically given to you automatically.

Does Medicare pay for oxygen equipment?

Note: There are different rules for oxygen equipment. If you have Original Medicare, you will typically pay the least if you order your DME from a Medicare-approved supplier who takes assignment . If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, make sure to follow your plan’s coverage rules.

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Step 1: Selection

After "Yes" is answered for the question "Is this an overpayment refund?" continue on with the following steps.

Step 2: Corrections

Based on the type (s) of corrections that are being made, the claim line fields will be opened up for the correction to be made.

Step 3: Submission

Step 3 provides the user with updated claim lines based on the changes selected. Review the changes, select the checkbox to verify the changes are accurate and choose Confirm Changes.

Step 4: Confirmation

Step 4 provides the Confirmation Number of the request. This indicates the reopening was submitted and will be processed.

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