DME MACs: Revised CMNs aren't necessary

WASHINGTON - The DME MACs have rescinded part of their updated guidance for the oxygen CMN.

Back on Feb. 15, the MACs published an article with new supplier guidance on how to use new Q modifiers on the certificate of medical necessity form. They instructed providers to report the calculated average flow rate for Question 5 on the CMN when a patient has differing daytime and nighttime prescribed flow rates. They also instructed providers to submit revised CMNs in this situation.

In an article on April 26, however, the MACs rescinded the instructions related to submitting a revised CMN.

AAHomecare applauded the change, saying requiring suppliers to create tens of thousands of revised CMNs would have created significant burdens.

“AAHomecare appreciates CMS and the DME MACs listening to concerns and rescinding the requirement,” it stated in a bulletin. “This is an example of the excellence working relations the industry has built with CMS and contractors to resolve issues that significantly impact suppliers.”

Three new Q modifiers went into effect April 1:

• QA (prescribed amounts of stationary oxygen for daytime use while at rest and nighttime use differ and the average of the two amounts is less than 1 liter per minute);
• QB (prescribed amounts of stationary oxygen for daytime use while at rest and nighttime use differ and the average of the two amounts exceeds 4 liters per minute and portable oxygen is prescribed); and
• QR (prescribed amounts of stationary oxygen for daytime use while at rest and nighttime use differ and the average of the two amounts is greater than 4 liters per minute).