AAHomecare Offers More Proposed Rule Insights

In addition to last week’s details on CMS’s proposed ESRD/DMEPOS rule, association gives details on proposed adjustments to face-to-face criteria and changes of ownership timeline.

• By David Kopf
• Aug 08, 2019

After CMS’s release last week of its Proposed ESRD/DMEPOS Rule for 2020, The American Association for Homecare is providing insights into additional propositions for DMEPOS rules.

Last week’s coverage of the proposed rule focused mainly on the provisions related to home medical equipment, including changes to its method for “gap-filling” reimbursement rates on certain DME items.

This week, AAHomecare turned its attention to proposed changes to face-to-face payment conditions, and a new timeline for change of ownership.

When it comes to changes in payment conditions, CMS has proposed to adjust the criteria for items that can be subject to a face-to-face encounter; written order prior to delivery; or prior authorization. The items that meet the new criteria will be included in CMS’s Master List.

In a bid to simplify paperwork, CMS proposes to extend prior authorization to accessories that are ordered with a prior-authorized item. Also, CMS proposes adopting one set of requirements for written order/prescription elements for all DMEPOS items. 

When it comes t changes of ownership (CHOW), CMS’s proposed rule would extend the timeline in which contracted suppliers are required to notify CMS on a (CHOW) from 60 days before the effective date to 10 days after the effective date.

Important links for the proposed rule:

• The complete text of the proposed rule is available at http://bit.ly/2LU6dy3.
• A CMS fact sheet on the proposed rule is available at https://go.cms.gov/2YkNzWz.
• AAHomecare’s summary of the proposed rule can be found at http://bit.ly/2MQsht6.