Perhaps as early as tonight, Congress will likely finalize legislation to delay implementation of new requirements for Durable Medical Equipment (DME) suppliers until January 1, 2010. This is an important change, particularly for local medical suppliers and community pharmacies, since many local providers would not be able to continue to provide Medicare beneficiaries with access to DME and related medical supplies based on the new requirements.
CMS issued a release today that new requirements for suppliers of medical equipment and supplies starting today unless there was legislative action. The House passed a bill last night (H.R. 3663) to delay the DME accreditation requirement for pharmacies until January 1, 2010.
Reports now anticipate that the Senate will pass legislation as early as this evening to delay the accreditation requirement for pharmacies.
Why is this delay important for patients? This would be good news for Medicare patients that access any type of DME or related supplies as they can continue to use their existing providers. Lets hope Congress takes temporary action today and then permanently excludes pharmacies and other community providers as part of health reform.
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