In 2003, Tennessee became the first state to mandate certification for HME dealers when fitting individuals in wheelchairs for long-term use. Now known as “consumer protection” legislation, the law is a good beginning, according to Darren Jernigan, director of government affairs for Lebanon, Tenn.-based Permobil, which was instrumental in drafting the legislation and hopes to encourage other states to follow Tennessee’s lead. While provisions in the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 make accreditation mandatory for providers reimbursed by Medicare, state laws would require certification for individuals and would apply to all providers, whether they do business with the government or not. “Requiring that a consumer who needs a wheelchair for long-term use be seen by a person with credentials in seating...