Pittsburgh’s New Durable Medical Equipment Program Delayed
Medicare was to change the way it paid for some durable medical equipment for Pittsburgh area patients on July 1, 2008, but new Medicare legislation has delayed the new program to an undetermined date.
The delay was part of a bill passed by the US Congress that reversed physician payment cuts.
Medicare beneficiaries may get durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) from any Medicare-approved supplier until the new program goes into effect.
Under the new program, Medicare beneficiaries in 10 areas across the country will have to get DMEPOS from suppliers that were contracted to participate in the new program. The program applies to:
- Oxygen supplies and equipment
- Standard power wheelchairs, scooters and related accessories
- Complex rehabilitative power wheelchairs and related accessories
- Mail-order diabetic supplies
- Enteral nutrients, equipment, and supplies
- Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices and respiratory assist devices (RADs) and related supplies
- Hospital beds and related accessories
- Negative pressure wound therapy pumps and related supplies and accessories
- Walkers and related accessories
Contact Kay Lewandowski at (215) 861-4692 or Lynne Tierney (215) 861-4763 at CMS with questions. CMS also has information on its website, including:
Last Updated: 11/5/2008