Parenteral/Enteral Pump Rental/Purchase

Parenteral/enteral pumps can be either rented or purchased. When rented, they are processed like capped rental items with two notable exceptions. First, they are not subject to the 25% reduction payment for the fourth rental month and after. Second, a beneficiary may elect to purchase a parenteral/enteral pump at any time. If the beneficiary decides to purchase the pump once rentals have been paid, the purchase allowance will consist of the used purchase allowance less the amount allowed to date for rentals.

Additional rental payments after the 15-month limit has been reached or after the pump has been purchased will only be considered if the attending physician changes the prescription between parenteral and enteral nutrients.

A change in suppliers during the 15-month rental period does not begin a new 15-month rental period. The new supplier is entitled to the balance remaining on the 15-month rental period. The supplier that collects the last month of rental (i.e., the 15th month) is responsible for ensuring that the beneficiary has a pump for as long as it is medically necessary and for maintenance and servicing of the pump during the period of medical necessity.

Medicare will consider payment for either a replacement by purchase or 15 months of rental for parenteral/enteral pumps purchased more than eight years prior to the current date.

Maintenance and Servicing

Necessary maintenance and servicing of parenteral/enteral pumps after the 15-month rental limit is reached may include repairs and extensive maintenance that involve the breaking down of sealed components, or performing tests that require specialized testing equipment not available to the beneficiary or nursing home. Payment will only be made for actual incidents of maintenance, servicing or replacement. The DME MAC may request written proof from the supplier of maintenance and servicing of the pump.

For enteral pumps, no more than one-half rental payment may be paid every six months, beginning six months after the last rental payment. For parenteral pumps, no more than one-half the rental payment may be paid every three months, beginning three months after the last rental payment for the pump. Claims for replacement of parenteral/enteral pumps purchased more than eight years ago will be considered for payment.

The modifier used in this category is MS (Maintenance and servicing)

Resource

• CMS Internet Only Manual (IOM), Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 20, Section 30.7.1