ORTHOPEDICS: Competitive Bidding Coming Soon--But Is The Rule Good For Your Patients?

Why This Topic Matters

The article helps readers understand Medicare operational changes that may affect office-based equipment provision, supplier participation, and coverage administration. It is useful for practices that furnish DMEPOS items and need to monitor policy developments that can affect workflow and patient access.

Article Sections

1. Competitive bidding and supplier participation

   Introduces the forthcoming Medicare competitive bidding approach for DMEPOS suppliers and discusses its potential impact on physician offices and patient access to equipment.

2. Quality standards and accreditation

   Summarizes related CMS requirements for DMEPOS supplier quality standards and accreditation and the broader compliance implications for suppliers.

3. Provider identifiers and referral-related guidance

   Covers CMS updates on National Provider Identifiers, referral-related dissemination guidance, and surrogate identifier issues.

4. Local coverage determinations and MAC transition

   Describes how Medicare Administrative Contractor transitions may affect the consolidation and maintenance of local coverage determinations across regions.