Therapeutic Shoes for Persons with Diabetes Quarterly Results of Targeted Probe and Educate Review

The Jurisdiction A, DME MAC, Medical Review Department is conducting a Targeted Probe and Educate (TPE) review of HCPCS code(s) A5500. The quarterly edit effectiveness results from July 2024 - September 2024 are as follows:

Based on dollars, the overall claim potential improper payment rate is 34%.

Top Medical Necessity Denial Reasons

  • Medical record documentation does not demonstrate the beneficiary has one or more qualifying conditions.
  • Certifying physician has not initialed, dated and indicated agreement with information from the medical record documentation of the in-person visit by another practitioner prior to signing the certification statement.
  • Medical record documentation demonstrates the in-person visit was not conducted by the certifying physician.

Top Technical Denial Reasons

  • Documentation was not received in response to the Additional Documentation Request (ADR) letter.
  • No medical record documentation was received. Refer to Medicare Program Integrity Manual 100-08, Chapter 3, Section 3.2.3.8.
  • Documentation does not include a standard written order (SWO). Refer to 42 CFR 410.38(d)(1), Medicare Program Integrity Manual 100-08, Chapter 5, Section 5.2.1 & Standard Documentation Requirements A55426.

Educational Resources

Suppliers billing Medicare should be familiar with the documentation requirements and utilization parameters. Visit the Therapeutic Shoes webpage to access coverage documents (Local Coverage Determination (LCD), Policy Article, National Coverage Determination (NCD)); documentation letters, forms, and checklists; reviews; tips; tools; resources; related articles; and educational events and tutorials, if applicable.

See the CMS Internet Only Manual (IOM), Publication 100-08, Medicare Program Integrity Manual, Chapter 3 information about probe/error validation reviews.

Last Updated Oct 15 , 2024