Provider Outreach and Education Advisory Group (POEAG) Meeting Minutes - July 22, 2026

Attendees

Members: Anna Markiewicz; Barb Stockert; Carolyn Koster; Cindy Vanyi; Crissy Hill; Dawn Jorgensen; Gary Marano; Holli Ling; Jan Palmer; Jessica Lutz; Jon Shreter; Kate Mutibura; Kathy Boland; Kimberly Hanson; Kristine Cram; Maria Koehnlein; Marsha Lawrence; Michelle Wullstein; Mindy Batiste; Noel Neil; Pamela Fritz; Paul Kesselman; Rhonda Turner; Sharee Hummer; Tanya Ward; Tugba Koca; Wayne Bradberry; Yvette Nugent; Two unknown callers

Noridian: Amber Mertz; Mary Reineke-Ferguson; Melanie Payne; Paige Smykowski-Lowrie; Tanya Gillies; Tracy Schutt

POE AG Mission and Goals

Mission

To determine the best methods of providing quality education and training to our supplier community.

Goals

  • The primary function of POE AG is to help the MAC create, implement, and review provider education strategies and efforts.
  • POE AG provides input and feedback on training topics, provider education materials, and dates and locations of provider education workshops and events.
  • POE AG also identifies salient provider education issues and recommends effective ways to disseminate information to all appropriate providers and their staff.
  • POE AG is a provider education consultant resource but not an approval or sanctioning authority.
  • CMS Internet Only Manual (IOM), Publication 100-09, Chapter 6

Suggestions from POE Advisory Members

  • Aligning with IOM direction
  • Suggestions and feedback encouraged
  • For policy-specific questions:
    • Ask the Contractor Meeting (ACM) - August 19, 2026
    • Policy specific webinars

Standing Items

  • Supplier complaints due to differences between CGS/Noridian processes
    • Publication of Targeted Probe and Education (TPE) quarterly results: CGS is posting these and Noridian is not. This is controlled at a MAC level. However, we schedule our education on a monthly basis and much of the education topics are based on the TPE policies.
    • Is there an update on adding same or similar for PAP supplies? It is on the list of enhancements and when it is implemented, a Latest Update will be posted.
  • Collaborative MAC education
    • A/B DME Workgroup
      • General Documentation Requirements - March 18, 2026
      • Glucose Monitors - June 17, 2026
      • Oxygen - September 23, 2026
      • Spinal Orthosis - TBD
    • CERT Task Force webinar
      • Glucose Monitors - April 22, 2026
      • Next topic TBD

Follow-up from Previous Meeting - General

  • How can we get the word out about:
  • Updated ABN CMS-R-131: ABN Form CMS-R-131
    • Discontinuation of Pre-Claim Hotline
      • ABNs have been around for so long so the education might be skimmed over; Change up the Did you Know more often; Use catchy titles

Joint DME MAC Publications (Policies > Medical Director Articles > 2026)

  • April 9, 2026 - HCPCS Code Update and policy revisions
    • Ankle-Foot/Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis
    • Intravenous Immune Globulin
    • Knee Orthoses
    • Lower Limb Prostheses
    • Power Mobility Devices
    • Spinal Orthoses: TLSO and LSO
    • Urological Supplies
    • Wheelchair Options/Accessories
  • April 16, 2026 - Bowel Management Devices
  • April 23, 2026 - Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) - Coverage and HCPCS Coding - Revised, and policy revisions
    • Automatic External Defibrillators
    • Glucose Monitor
  • April 30, 2026 - Standard Documentation Requirements for All Claims Submitted to DME MACs
  • May 14, 2026 - KF Modifier Use - Correct Coding - Revised, and policy revisions
    • Osteogenesis Stimulators
    • Tracheostomy Care Supplies
  • May 28, 2026 - Correct Coding - Partial Hand Prosthesis - Revised, and policy revisions
    • Standard Documentation Requirements
    • Wheelchair Seating
  • June 4, 2026 - Buzzy® - Correct Coding - Revised
  • June 18, 2026 - policy revisions
    • Lower Limb Prostheses
    • Nebulizers
  • June 25, 2026 - policy revisions
    • External Infusion Pumps
    • Intravenous Immune Globulin

New Items

General

  • Virtual Events
    • Midwest Association for Medical Equipment Services & Supplies (MAMES) - May 1, 2026
    • National Home Infusion Association (NHIA) - May 6, 2026
  • Telehealth Extended Through December 31, 2027
    • Noridian Medicare website > Browse by Topic > Documentation > Telehealth
  • Ask the Contractor Meeting (ACM)
    • August 19, 2026
    • November 18, 2026
    • Noridian Medicare website > Education and Outreach > Schedule of Events
  • Noridian Medicare Portal (NMP) Registration Updates
    • Provider Enrollment Verification
      • JA: Novitas Solutions at 866-520-5193
      • JD: Palmetto GBA at 866-238-9652
      • JE: 855-609-9960
      • JF: 877-908-8431

DME

Open Discussion/Additional Member Comments/Suggestions

  • Member discussion on best education practices
  • What kind of education would you like to see?
  • DME Quarterly Updates Webinar - July 27, 2026
  • Oxygen and Oxygen Equipment Webinar - July 28, 2026

Suggestions

  • How to bill non-assigned claims
    • Noridian response: We will take this back to confirm this is in NEE and see what we can do in addition.
      • This has been added to the Noridian Basics series in preparation for the next presentation.
  • Competitive bid
    • Noridian response: As soon as Noridian receives final information from CMS, it will be provided.
  • Refractive lenses
    • Noridian response: Refractive lenses can be added to the 2027 webinar plan. Noridian will contact this member.
  • Include TPE results in Quarterly Updates webinars since they are no longer posted
    • Noridian response: This will be brought to the Medical Review team for consideration.

Concern

  • Our company does have a complaint when it comes to CMS mandate to the 4% oxygen desaturation metric for scoring hypopneas in sleep studies to determine Medicare eligibility. While the AASM, American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends 3%. This is causing some sleep doctors upset with us because these patients do not qualify at 3% and will not take these patient orders because we do follow CMS rules.
    • Noridian response: Thank you for your concern. This is a CMS standard process. Suppliers can request a reconsideration of a Local Coverage Determination (LCD) if they believe changes or updates are warranted. Information regarding the LCD Reconsideration Process, including submission requirements and instructions, is available on the Noridian website under Policies > LCD > LCD Reconsideration Process. We encourage you to review the information provided on the website for guidance on submitting an LCD reconsideration request.

Upcoming Meeting

  • Next Meeting: October 21, 2026
Last Updated Jul 30 , 2026