DME MAC Program Manager Update - Workgroup Collaboration - 2023 - JA DME

In previous articles, we shared how the Noridian and CGS Program Managers oversee a variety of operational and collaborative workgroups that meet monthly to discuss opportunities for process improvements across the DME MAC jurisdictions. In this update, we are pleased to share an update on our ongoing workgroup activities.

All our workgroups have as a standing agenda item to review CMS Change Requests (CRs), during both the draft and final process, to ensure that we have a common understanding of the requirements. This collaborative approach ensures all DME MACs implement the changes consistently.

Below are just a few recent workgroup highlights:

• Elimination of Certificates of Medical Necessity (CMNs) & Durable Medical Equipment Information Forms (DIFs) - In our previous article, we shared that our workgroups were closely coordinating the updates needed to internal processes, Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs), and corresponding policy articles and education to achieve a successful implementation.
  
  The January 1, 2023 implementation was a success! The DME MACs worked tirelessly in collaboration to ensure a smooth transition and the Program Managers want to thank the DME MAC teams for their efforts and results. As a result of planning and extensive education, this significant change occurred with little to no impact on the DMEPOS supplier community.
• The DME MAC Medical Director workgroup supported the educational needs of the supplier community by publishing 27 articles on our websites in 2022 for LCD and Policy Article Revisions, Dear Physician letters, correct coding and coverage, and open meeting announcements for Proposed LCDs.
• To support our DMEPOS suppliers the DME MACs collaborate with all the A/B MACs to present A/B/DME MAC Educational webinars. This workgroup presents four webinars each year focused on prescribing practitioner documentation requirements for DMEPOS claims. In 2023, the webinar topics include Knee Orthoses, Oxygen, Surgical Dressings, and Therapeutic Shoes for Persons with Diabetes.
• The DME MAC Provider Outreach and Education (POE) teams work together all year long to develop and deliver both collaborative and co- branded education. We do this to ensure that we educate the supplier community consistently. In 2023, we will continue our successful method of presenting webinars for suppliers on the same topics as the A/B MAC series (noted above), but with a focus on the supplier documentation requirements.
• To further the benefit of these collaborative webinars for both prescribing practitioners and suppliers, our contact centers use the webinar material for customer service representative (CSR) training. This enables our CSRs to assist suppliers consistently across the DME MAC jurisdictions.

MAC Customer Experience (MCE) Survey - We Value Your Feedback

We highly encourage you to take the survey each time you are presented with the opportunity. Whether you see a survey pop up on the website or portal, or you receive a survey invitation after a Provider Outreach and Education (POE) event, please take a few minutes and share feedback.

Surveys give you a direct means to let us know what works well and where we have room for improvement. We are genuinely interested in your comments, and we review every survey to help us develop initiatives that better serve you.