RETIRED - Face-to-Face Examination and Prescription Requirements Prior to the Delivery of Certain DME Items Specified in the Affordable Care Act - Revised

IMPORTANT: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS OUTDATED INFORMATION.

Content Provided on this page contains outdated information and instruction and should not be considered current. Noridian is providing this archived information for research purposes only. This archived article contains previously issued instructions that have since been updated or are no longer applicable for Medicare billing purposes.

DME MAC Joint Publication

This revision adds information clarifying who may perform the in-person visit and the responsibilities of the ordering physician.

As a condition for payment, Section 6407 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires that a physician (MD, DO or DPM), physician assistant (PA), nurse practitioner (NP) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) has had a face-to-face examination with a beneficiary within the six (6) months prior to the written order for certain items of DME (Refer to Table A for a list of items). 

A face-to-face examination is required each time a new prescription for one of the specified items is ordered.  A new prescription is required by Medicare:

  • For all claims for purchases or initial rentals 
  • When there is a change in the prescription for the accessory, supply, drug, etc.
  • If a local coverage determination (LCD) requires periodic prescription renewal (i.e., policy requires a new prescription on a scheduled or periodic basis)
  • When an item is replaced
  • When there is a change in the supplier
  • When required by state law

The first bullet above, claims for purchases or initial rentals, includes all claims for payment of purchases and initial rentals for items not originally covered (reimbursed) by Medicare Part B. Claims for items obtained outside of Medicare Part B, e.g. from another payer prior to Medicare participation (including Medicare Advantage plans), are considered to be new initial claims for Medicare payment purposes. This means that all Medicare payment requirements must be met, the same as any other item initially covered by Medicare.

These Affordable Care Act requirements are effective for claims for all of the specified items that require a new order (prescription) on or after July 1, 2013. Enforcement of these rules related to the face-to-face examination requirement and face-to-face documentation is delayed until a date to be announced by CMS in Calendar Year 2014. This delay in enforcement does not apply to the prescription requirements for a Written Order Prior to Delivery or to the requirement to include the prescriber's NPI on the prescription.

ACA 6407 also contains provisions requiring that a physician verify that a face-to-face examination performed by a PA, NP or CNS was done within the 6 months prior to the creation of a prescription for the specified item(s). This article does not address these provisions in detail. Additional information addressing physician verification will be forthcoming.

Face-To-Face Examination Requirements

The physician must have a face-to-face examination with the beneficiary in the six (6) months prior to the date of the written order for the specified items of DME.    

This face-to-face requirement includes examinations conducted via the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)-approved use of telehealth examinations (as described in Chapter 15 of the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual and Chapter 12 of the Medicare Claims Processing Manual – CMS Internet-Only Manuals, Publ. 100-02 and 100-04, respectively).

The DMEPOS supplier must have documentation of both the face-to-face visit and completed written order prior to delivery (WOPD) in their file prior to the delivery of these items.   

For the physician prescribing a specified DME item:

  • The face-to-face examination with the beneficiary must be conducted within the six (6) months prior to the date of the prescription.
  • The face-to-face examination must document that the beneficiary was evaluated and/or treated for a condition that supports the need for the item(s) of DME ordered. 
  • Remember that all Medicare coverage and documentation requirements for DMEPOS also apply.  There must be sufficient medical information included in the medical record to demonstrate that the applicable coverage criteria are met.  Refer to the applicable Local Coverage Determination for information about the medical necessity criteria for the item(s) being ordered. 
  • The treating practitioner that conducted the face-to-face examination does not need to be the prescriber for the DME item.  However the prescriber must:
    • Verify that the in-person visit occurred within the 6-months prior to the date of their prescription, and
    • Have documentation of the face-to-face examination that was conducted.
  • The prescriber must provide a copy of the face-to-face examination and the prescription for the item(s) to the DMEPOS supplier before the item can be delivered.

Prescription (order) Requirements

These specified items require a written order that must be obtained prior to delivery (WOPD). A WOPD is a standard Medicare detailed written order, which must be completed and in the DMEPOS supplier's possession BEFORE the item is delivered. The prescription (order) for the DME must include all of the items below:

  • Beneficiary's name,
  • Physician's Name
  • Date of the order and the start date, if start date is different from the date of the order
  • Detailed description of the item
  • The prescribing practitioner's National Provider Identifier (NPI),
  • The signature of the ordering practitioner
  • Signature date

For any of the specified items provided on a periodic basis, including drugs, the written order must include:

  • Item(s) to be dispensed
  • Dosage or concentration, if applicable
  • Route of Administration, if applicable
  • Frequency of use
  • Duration of infusion, if applicable
  • Quantity to be dispensed
  • Number of refills, if applicable

For any of the specified items affected by this face-to-face requirement to be covered by Medicare, a written, signed and dated order must be received by the supplier prior to delivery of the item. If the supplier delivers the item prior to receipt of a written order, it will be denied as statutorily noncovered. If the written order is not obtained prior to delivery, payment will not be made for that item even if a written order is subsequently obtained. If a similar item is subsequently provided by an unrelated supplier who has obtained a written order prior to delivery, it will be eligible for coverage.

Note that prescriptions for these specified DME items require the National Provider Identifier to be included on the prescription. Prescriptions for other DME items do not have this NPI requirement. Suppliers should pay particular attention to orders that include a mix of items, some of which are subject to these new order requirements. For example, oxygen concentrators (E1390) are often ordered in conjunction with portable oxygen (E0431). Orders for code E0431 require inclusion of the NPI while orders for E1390 do not.

Date and Timing Requirements

There are specific date and timing requirements:

  • The date of the face-to-face examination must be on or before the date of the written order (prescription) and may be no older than 6 months prior to the prescription date.
  • The date of the face-to-face examination must be on or before the date of delivery for the item(s) prescribed.
  • The date of the written order must be on or before the date of delivery.
  • The DMEPOS supplier must have documentation of both the face-to-face visit and the completed WOPD in their file prior to the delivery of these items.

A date stamp (or similar) is required which clearly indicates the supplier's date of receipt of both the face-to-face record and the completed WOPD with the prescribing physician's signature and signature date. It is recommended that both documents be separately date-stamped to avoid any confusion regarding the receipt date of these documents.

Claim Denial

Claims for the specified items subject to these face-to-face requirements and prescription requirements that do not meet the requirements specified above will be denied as statutorily noncovered – failed to meet statutory requirements.

Local Coverage Determinations (LCD)

LCDs that contain items subject to these requirements are:

  • Automatic External Defibrillators
  • Cervical Traction Devices
  • External Infusion Pumps
  • High-frequency Chest Wall Oscillation Devices
  • Home Glucose Monitors
  • Hospital Beds
  • Manual In-exsufflation Devices
  • Manual Wheelchairs
  • Nebulizers
  • Osteogenesis Stimulators
  • Oxygen
  • Patient Lifts
  • Pneumatic Compression Devices
  • Positive Airway Pressure Devices
  • Pressure Reducing Support Surfaces
  • Respiratory Assist Devices
  • Seat Lift Mechanisms
  • Speech Generating Devices
  • Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulators (TENS)
  • Wheelchair options and Accessories

These LCDs will be updated to include the requirements at a future date.

Numerous items are not included in a specific LCD.  Some have coverage criteria described by National Coverage Determinations.  Others have coverage determined on a case-by-case or individual-claim basis.  This article and the associated CMS publications will constitute notice of these requirements for all of the applicable codes.

Refer to the applicable LCD, NCD and/or the Supplier Manual for additional information about WOPD requirements.

TABLE A:  DME List of Specified Covered Items

The DME list of Specified Covered Items is as follows.  The original list was at 77 FR 44798.  This original list contains some codes (codes marked with an "*") that have been deleted or that were made not valid for Medicare while other codes (codes marked with an "**") have had narrative changes.  Updates to the list will be made as CMS releases revisions. 

Refer to the Pricing, Data Analysis and Coding Contractor web site for information on coding at http://www.dmepdac.com/.

HCPCS Code Description
E0185 Gel or gel-like pressure mattress pad
E0188 Synthetic sheepskin pad
E0189 Lamb's wool sheepskin pad
E0194 Air fluidized bed
E0197 Air pressure pad for mattress standard length and width
E0198 Water pressure pad for mattress standard length and width
E0199 Dry pressure pad for mattress standard length and width
E0250 Hospital bed fixed height with any type of side rails, mattress
E0251 Hospital bed fixed height with any type side rails without mattress
E0255 Hospital bed variable height with any type side rails with mattress
E0256 Hospital bed variable height with any type side rails without mattress
E0260 Hospital bed semi-electric (Head and foot adjustment) with any type side rails with mattress
E0261 Hospital bed semi-electric (head and foot adjustment) with any type side rails without mattress
E0265 Hospital bed total electric (head, foot and height adjustments) with any type side rails with mattress
E0266 Hospital bed total electric (head, foot and height adjustments) with any type side rails without mattress
E0290 Hospital bed fixed height without rails with mattress
E0291 Hospital bed fixed height without rail without mattress
E0292 Hospital bed variable height without rail without mattress
E0293 Hospital bed variable height without rail with mattress
E0294 Hospital bed semi-electric (head and foot adjustment) without rail with mattress
E0295 Hospital bed semi-electric (head and foot adjustment) without rail without mattress
E0296 Hospital bed total electric (head, foot and height adjustments) without rail with mattress
E0297 Hospital bed total electric (head, foot and height adjustments) without rail without mattress
E0300 Pediatric crib, hospital grade, fully enclosed
E0301 Hospital bed Heavy Duty extra wide, with weight capacity 350-600 lbs with any type of rail, without mattress
E0302 Hospital bed Heavy Duty extra wide, with weight capacity greater than 600 lbs with any type of rail, without mattress
E0303 Hospital bed Heavy Duty extra wide, with weight capacity 350-600 lbs with any type of rail, with mattress
E0304 Hospital bed Heavy Duty extra wide, with weight capacity greater than 600 lbs with any type of rail, with mattress
E0424 Stationary compressed gas Oxygen System rental; includes contents, regulator, nebulizer, cannula or mask and tubing
E0431 Portable gaseous oxygen system rental includes portable container, regulator, flowmeter, humidifier, cannula or mask, and tubing
E0433 Portable liquid oxygen system
E0434 Portable liquid oxygen system, rental; includes portable container, supply reservoir, humidifier, flowmeter, refill adaptor, content gauge, cannula or mask, and tubing
E0439 Stationary liquid oxygen system rental, includes container, contents, regulator, flowmeter, humidifier, nebulizer, cannula or mask, and tubing
E0441 Oxygen contents, gaseous (1 months supply)
E0442 Oxygen contents, liquid (1 months supply)
E0443 Portable Oxygen contents, gas (1 months supply)
E0444 Portable oxygen contents, liquid (1 months supply)
E0450 Volume control ventilator without pressure support used with invasive interface
E0457 Chest shell
E0459 Chest wrap
E0460 Negative pressure ventilator portable or stationary
E0461 Volume control ventilator without pressure support node for a noninvasive interface
E0462 Rocking bed with or without side rail
E0463 Pressure support ventilator with volume control mode used for invasive surfaces
E0464 Pressure support vent with volume control mode used for noninvasive surfaces
E0470 Respiratory Assist Device, bi-level pressure capability, without backup rate used non-invasive interface
E0471 Respiratory Assist Device, bi-level pressure capability, with backup rate for a non-invasive interface
E0472 Respiratory Assist Device, bi-level pressure capability, with backup rate for invasive interface
E0480 Percussor electric/pneumatic home model
E0482 Cough stimulating device, alternating positive and negative airway pressure
E0483 High Frequency chest wall oscillation air pulse generator system
E0484 Oscillatory positive expiratory device, non-electric
E0570 Nebulizer with compressor
E0575 Nebulizer, ultrasonic, large volume
E0580 Nebulizer, durable, glass or autoclavable plastic, bottle type for use with regulator or flowmeter
E0585 Nebulizer with compressor & heater
E0601 Continuous airway pressure device
E0607 Home blood glucose monitor
E0627 Seat lift mechanism incorporated lift-chair
E0628 Separate Seat lift mechanism for patient owned furniture electric
E0629 Separate seat lift mechanism for patient owned furniture non-electric
E0636 Multi positional patient support system, with integrated lift, patient accessible controls
E0650 Pneumatic compressor non-segmental home model
E0651 Pneumatic compressor segmental home model without calibrated gradient pressure
E0652 Pneumatic compressor segmental home model with calibrated gradient pressure
E0655 Non- segmental pneumatic appliance for use with pneumatic compressor on half arm
E0656 Non- segmental pneumatic appliance for use with pneumatic compressor on trunk
E0657 Non- segmental pneumatic appliance for use with pneumatic compressor chest
E0660 Non- segmental pneumatic appliance for use with pneumatic compressor on full leg
E0665 Non- segmental pneumatic appliance for use with pneumatic compressor on full arm
E0666 Non- segmental pneumatic appliance for use with pneumatic compressor on half leg
E0667 Segmental pneumatic appliance for use with pneumatic compressor on full-leg
E0668 Segmental pneumatic appliance for use with pneumatic compressor on full arm
E0669 Segmental pneumatic appliance for use with pneumatic compressor on half leg
E0671 Segmental gradient pressure pneumatic appliance full leg
E0672 Segmental gradient pressure pneumatic appliance full arm
E0673 Segmental gradient pressure pneumatic appliance half leg
E0675 Pneumatic compression device, high pressure, rapid inflation/deflation cycle, for arterial insufficiency
E0692 Ultraviolet light therapy system panel treatment 4 foot panel
E0693 Ultraviolet light therapy system panel treatment 6 foot panel
E0694 Ultraviolet multidirectional light therapy system in 6 foot cabinet
E0720 Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, two lead, local stimulation
E0730 Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, four or more leads, for multiple nerve stimulation
E0731 Form fitting conductive garment for delivery of TENS or NMES
E0740 Incontinence treatment system, Pelvic floor stimulator, monitor, sensor, and/or trainer
E0744 Neuromuscular stimulator for scoliosis
E0745 Neuromuscular stimulator electric shock unit
E0747 Osteogenesis stimulator, electrical, non-invasive, other than spine application.
E0748 Osteogenesis stimulator, electrical, non-invasive, spinal application
E0749 Osteogenesis stimulator, electrical, surgically implanted
E0760 Osteogenesis stimulator, low intensity ultrasound, non-invasive
E0762 Transcutaneous electrical joint stimulation system including all accessories
E0764 Functional neuromuscular stimulator, transcutaneous stimulations of muscles of ambulation with computer controls
E0765 FDA approved nerve stimulator for treatment of nausea & vomiting
E0782 Infusion pumps, implantable, Non-programmable
E0783 Infusion pump, implantable, Programmable
E0784 External ambulatory infusion pump
E0786 Implantable programmable infusion pump, replacement
E0840 Tract frame attach to headboard, cervical traction
E0849 Traction equipment cervical, free-standing stand/frame, pneumatic, applying traction force to other than mandible
E0850 Traction stand, free standing, cervical traction
E0855 Cervical traction equipment not requiring additional stand or frame
E0856 Cervical traction device, cervical collar with inflatable air bladder
E0958** Manual wheelchair accessory, one-arm drive attachment
E0959** Manual wheelchair accessory-adapter for Amputee
E0960** Manual wheelchair accessory, shoulder harness/strap
E0961** Manual wheelchair accessory wheel lock brake extension handle
E0966** Manual wheelchair accessory, headrest extension
E0967** Manual wheelchair accessory, hand rim with projections
E0968* Commode seat, wheelchair
E0969* Narrowing device wheelchair
E0971** Manual wheelchair accessory anti-tipping device
E0973** Manual wheelchair accessory, adjustable height, detachable armrest
E0974** Manual wheelchair accessory anti-rollback device
E0978* Manual wheelchair accessory positioning belt/safety belt/ pelvic strap
E0980* Manual wheelchair accessory safety vest
E0981** Manual wheelchair accessory Seat upholstery, replacement only
E0982** Manual wheelchair accessory, back upholstery, replacement only
E0983** Manual wheelchair accessory power add on to convert manual wheelchair to motorized wheelchair, joystick control
E0984** Manual wheelchair accessory power add on to convert manual wheelchair to motorized wheelchair, Tiller control
E0985 Wheelchair accessory, seat lift mechanism
E0986** Manual wheelchair accessory, push activated power assist
E0990** Manual wheelchair accessory, elevating leg rest
E0992** Manual wheelchair accessory, elevating leg rest solid seat insert
E0994* Arm rest
E1014 Reclining back, addition to pediatric size wheelchair
E1015 Shock absorber for manual wheelchair
E1020 Residual limb support system for wheelchair
E1028** Wheelchair accessory, manual swing away, retractable or removable mounting hardware for joystick, other control interface or positioning accessory
E1029** Wheelchair accessory, ventilator tray
E1030** Wheelchair accessory, ventilator tray, gimbaled
E1031 Rollabout chair, any and all types with castors 5" or greater
E1035** Multi-positional patient transfer system with integrated seat operated by care giver
E1036** Patient transfer system
E1037 Transport chair, pediatric size
E1038** Transport chair, adult size up to 300lb
E1039** Transport chair, adult size heavy duty >300lb
E1161 Manual Adult size wheelchair includes tilt in space
E1227* Special height arm for wheelchair
E1228* Special back height for wheelchair
E1232 Wheelchair, pediatric size, tilt-in-space, folding, adjustable with seating system
E1233** Wheelchair, pediatric size, tilt-in-space, folding, adjustable without seating system
E1234 Wheelchair, pediatric size, tilt-in-space, folding, adjustable without seating system
E1235 Wheelchair, pediatric size, rigid, adjustable, with seating system
E1236 Wheelchair, pediatric size, folding, adjustable, with seating system
E1237 Wheelchair, pediatric size, rigid, adjustable, without seating system
E1238 Wheelchair, pediatric size, folding, adjustable, without seating system
E1296* Special sized wheelchair seat height
E1297* Special sized wheelchair seat depth by upholstery
E1298* Special sized wheelchair seat depth and/or width by construction
E1310** Whirlpool non-portable
E2502** Speech Generating Devices prerecord messages between 8 and 20 Minutes
E2506** Speech Generating Devices prerecord messages over 40 minutes
E2508** Speech Generating Devices message through spelling, manual type
E2510** Speech Generating Devices synthesized with multiple message methods
E2227** Rigid pediatric wheelchair adjustable
K0001 Standard wheelchair
K0002 Standard hemi (low seat) wheelchair
K0003 Lightweight wheelchair
K0004 High strength ltwt wheelchair
K0005 Ultra Lightweight wheelchair
K0006 Heavy duty wheelchair
K0007 Extra heavy duty wheelchair
K0009 Other manual wheelchair/base
K0606** AED garment with electronic analysis
K0730 Controlled dose inhalation drug delivery system

 

Publication History

Date of Change Description
02/21/14 Originally Published
05/29/14 Revised
04/28/16 Revised

 

Last Updated Dec 10 , 2023