MAC Medical Directors Write Physicians on PMD Requirements

On Oct. 31, the four DME MAC medical directors sent letters to physicians in their respective jurisdictions asking them to document visits and exams for power mobility devices.

“You should record the visit and examination in your usual medical record-keeping format,” the letter states. “Many suppliers provide forms for you to complete. Suppliers often try to create the impression that these documents are a sufficient record of the in-person visit and medical evaluation. Based upon our auditing experience, most of them are not. This is usually because these documents do not record a complete medical examination and thus do not provide enough detailed information to adequately describe the medical necessity for the power mobility device in the patient’s home.”

The medical directors noted that some individual suppliers, equipment manufacturers and medical groups have devised their own forms to help with the requirement.

“While there is no specific prohibition against the use of a form to facilitate record-keeping, any instrument you choose must be a complete and comprehensive record of your in-person visit and the examination that was performed,” their letter said.