DMERCs Implement Grace Period for Power Mobility Rule

Baltimore

The DMERCs have announced that there will be a grace period for the implementation of a rule that does away with the power mobility certificate of medical necessity.

The interim final rule for power mobility devices, which took effect Oct. 25, replaces the power mobility CMN with a face-to-face exam and a doctor’s prescription. Providers also are now responsible for gathering patient records that prove medical necessity for power mobility before delivering the device.

In a notice issued in November, the DMERCs said that, following discussions with CMS, they will honor PMD orders signed and dated by the treating physician before Oct. 25 and will not subject the claim to the requirements of the new rule if it is subjected to a manual medical review.

Instead, the prior documentation requirements will be applied:

• There must be a dispensing order for the PMD from the physician that is obtained by the supplier prior to delivery of the device.
• There must be a detailed written order for the PMD that is signed and dated by the treating physician and received by the supplier prior to billing the device.
• There must be documentation in the patient’s medical record that the coverage criteria for the PMD have been met.
• All of this documentation must be available to the DMERC on request.