DME MACs Prepare for Start-Up

BALTIMORE–Despite protests that may delay the implementation of
new DME Medicare Administrative Contractors in two jurisdictions,
all four contractors are preparing to start their outreach to
providers, a CMS official announced last week.

On July 1, CMS is scheduled to transition from Durable Medical
Equipment Regional Contractors (DMERCs) to Medicare Administrative
Contractors (MACs), which will handle billing, customer service and
other day-to-day operations. After CMS named the new contractors
early this year (see HomeCare
Monday, Jan. 9), protests were filed with the GAO for the
contracts awarded to Palmetto in Region C and Noridian in Region
D.

The GAO now has until May to make a decision, CMS’ Sue Lathroum
announced at Tuesday’s Home Health, Hospice and DME Open Door
Forum. “Our desire is to proceed and prepare for implementation,”
she said.

Separate Program Safeguard Contractors (PSCs) for each region,
which assumed duties last week, are handling benefit integrity,
medical review and medical policy. (See HomeCare
Monday, Dec. 12.)

Lathroum also said that CMS plans to hold future meetings on the
transition from DMERCs to MACs; however, they will not be open to
the public. “If we get hundreds of requests coming in from hundreds
of suppliers, it’s going to be difficult to handle them,” she
explained.

CMS sponsored an invitation-only meeting Feb. 22, including
representatives from DMEPOS supplier trade associations, which
allowed participants to pose questions and concerns on the
transition. Lathroum said those interested in participating in
future meetings should contact her at [email protected].

Also at Tuesday’s forum, a CMS official announced that the
proposed rule on national competitive bidding is still in
clearance. Questions or comments should be addressed to Michael
Keane at [email protected].

The next Home Health, Hospice and DME Open Door Forum is
scheduled for April 12.