Smart Talk

Q. When can oxygen suppliers stop using the CMN?  A. Suppliers can stop using CMNs for oxygen setups with dates of service on and after Sept. 27, 2021. A recent change to the Home Use of Oxygen National Coverage Determination (NCD) eliminates the CMN requirement. In lieu of a CMN, suppliers need a standard written order from a treating practitioner.   To release initial claims for hypoxic patients, suppliers must confirm the medical records support the need for oxygen with test results...

Q. Should I add breast pumps to my product mix?  A. The Affordable Care Act of 2010 included the Women's Preventive Services Initiative Clause. This clause recommended comprehensive lactation support services, including breastfeeding equipment and supplies, to ensure the successful initiation and maintenance of breastfeeding.  From the implementation of this clause, providers began offering breast pumps as a covered benefit to mothers. As time went on, providers started offering...

Q. How do I access COVID‐19 OTC tests for large employers in my community?   A. As the country waits with bated breath on the outcome of the pending vaccine mandate currently under review by the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, forward-thinking HME providers are already laying the groundwork to access testing supplies and create programs to help large employers in the communities they serve navigate these new requirements.   Under the mandate (currently on pause), businesses with...

Q. What specific activities can help HME providers improve their cybersecurity posture?  A. The answer to this question is multi-faceted. There is no “single bullet” theory that addresses every component of the complex nature of cybersecurity. However, some basic hygiene measures can help reduce the risks presented by cybercriminals in the digital world.   First, implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) to eliminate a bad actor’s ability to access the network...

Q. Can suppliers bill monthly rentals for Medicare patients with recalled Philips CPAP devices? A. Yes, so long as the patient continues to use the device. Suppliers, however, should be increasingly diligent in their monthly verification procedures because the publicity surrounding the recall may persuade regular CPAP users to stop using their machines, even those produced by Philips’ competitors. Remote monitoring is the easiest way to satisfy the requirement, but suppliers can also...

Q. What is at-home phototherapy treatment and why is it important? A. At-home phototherapy treatment is a way of reducing the bilirubin levels of infants with jaundice using blanket phototherapy in the comfort of your own home, as opposed to hospital treatment.  Phototherapy has been a popular, non-invasive way to treat neonatal jaundice for more than 30 years. The treatment has been typically done in a hospital setting by placing the baby under stationary lights, but advances in technology...

Q. Where did all the crutches go? A. According to a recent poll conducted by HME News, providers say they’re increasing on-hand inventory levels to try and combat supply chain disruptions. So, when an item like adult crutches goes on backorder with a big-name brand, providers start ordering up and clearing out the warehouses of other manufacturers for fear that they may not be able to procure that item in the short-term, in many cases, doubling the amount of inventory they are carrying on...

Q. Should HME providers view cybersecurity as a project or a business process? A. Many organizations that engage in improving their cybersecurity posture fall into the trap of viewing the efforts as a “project” versus a “process.” Treating these activities as a one-time project only provides the organization with a snapshot of the environment. It fails to incorporate business process management techniques that enable ongoing data collection and process improvement. For...

Q. Can suppliers sell new CPAPs to Medicare beneficiaries who own a recalled machine but don’t want to wait for warranty repairs?  A. Yes. When the equipment is over five years, it has exceeded its reasonable useful life. Suppliers can bill new equipment to Medicare with a new prescription.  If the patient’s equipment is less than five years old, Medicare will not pay for a new machine because the equipment remains within the useful lifetime.  Patients may want...

Q. What are the health benefits of maternity compression products during pregnancy and postpartum?  A. Maternity compression has become an essential element to a mom’s pregnancy and postpartum journey. Compression garments offer wonderful health benefits for mothers during pregnancy by providing comfort and relief from swelling, back pain and muscle fatigue.   During postpartum, compression garments can help speed up recovery and reduce discomfort, which can help reduce stress...