Take stock of your DME ‘consignment closet’ deals

Why This Topic Matters

Practices that rely on consignment-style DME arrangements may need to adjust business operations, billing workflows, and compliance processes to remain aligned with Medicare requirements. Understanding the broad scope of these changes helps organizations assess whether to enroll as suppliers, discontinue certain arrangements, or separate Medicare from private-pay workflows.

Article Sections

1. Overview of consignment closet changes

   Introduces the Medicare policy shift affecting practice-based DME stock arrangements and the general compliance implications for medical practices.

2. CMS transmittals and effective date

   Summarizes the CMS communications referenced in the article and identifies the implementation timeframe discussed.

3. Supplier enrollment and operational requirements

   Describes the broad administrative and operational hurdles practices may face if they continue offering DME under Medicare.

4. Stark law and in-office ancillary considerations

   Reviews the article’s discussion of physician self-referral concerns and the categories of items addressed in that context.

5. Private insurance and Medicare alternatives

   Notes the distinction the article makes between handling privately insured patients and Medicare patients under these arrangements.

6. Official resources

   Lists the CMS reference materials cited at the end of the article for further review.