Proposed fee schedule: A proposal to have a face-to-face visit before prescribing any piece of durable medical equipment draws fire

Article Overview

This article covers a proposed 2005 physician fee schedule policy that would tie durable medical equipment prescribing to a face-to-face visit and related documentation requirements. It explains why physician groups and manufacturers object, what CMS said it was trying to address, and how the proposal fits within broader Medicare coverage and payment policy. The piece is relevant to physicians, practice managers, DME suppliers, and coding or compliance professionals who follow Medicare Part B rules and coverage policy changes.