The Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today that it will be delaying the face-to-face rule regarding its durable medical equipment (DME) reimbursement program effective July 1, reports HomeCare Mag.
The three-month extension moves the deadline to October 1, and according to the American Association for Homecare, the delay will allow DME providers to better prepare for requirements outlined by the rule.
As a condition for payment, a section of the Affordable Care Act requires a physician to document that he/she, a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist has had a face-to-face encounter examination with a beneficiary in the six months prior to the written order for certain DME items.
Earlier this month, CMS updated its guidance regarding the rule, which included refusal to accept any claims where a face-to-face requirement was not met.
AAHomecare is currently working toward providing tools and FAQ documents to help members transition with the CMS regulation, and the advocacy group is expected to provide a more detailed analysis of the CMS announcement in the near future, writes HomeCare Mag.
A representative from CMS confirmed to Home Health Care News that the rule has in fact been delayed.
Read the HomeCare Mag article.
Written by Jason Oliva
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