-
A
supplier must be in compliance will all applicable Federal and State
licensure and regulatory requirements.
-
A
supplier must provide complete and accurate information on the DMEPOS
supplier application. Any changes to this information must be
reported to the National Supplier Clearinghouse within 30 days.
-
An
authorized individual (one whose signature is binding) must sign the
application for billing privileges.
-
A
supplier must fill orders from its own inventory, or must contract
with other companies for the purchase of items necessary to fill the
order. A supplier may not contract with any entity that is currently
excluded from the Medicare program, any State health care programs, or
from any other Federal procurement or nonprocurement programs.
-
A
supplier must advise beneficiaries that they may rent or purchase
inexpensive or routinely purchased durable medical equipment, and of
the purchase option for capped rental equipment.
-
A
supplier must notify beneficiaries of warranty coverage and honor all
warranties under applicable State law and repair or replace free of
charge Medicare covered items that are under warranty.
-
A
supplier must maintain a physical facility on an appropriate site.
-
A
supplier must permit HCFA, or its agents, to conduct on site
inspections to ascertain the suppliers compliance with these
standards. The supplier location must be accessible to beneficiaries
during reasonable business hours, and must maintain a visible sign and
posted hours of operation.
-
A
supplier must maintain a primary business telephone listed under the
name of the business in a local directory or a toll free number
available through directory assistance. The exclusive use of a
beeper, answering machine or cell phone is prohibited.
-
A
supplier must have comprehensive liability insurance in the amount of
a least $300,000 that covers both the supplier’s place of business and
all customers and employees of the supplier. If the supplier
manufactures its own items, this insurance must also cover product
liability and completed operations.
-
A
supplier must agree not to initiate telephone contact with
beneficiaries with a few exceptions allowed. This standard prohibits
suppliers from calling beneficiaries in order to solicit business.
(Note added: This does not apply to existing customers.)
-
A
supplier is responsible for delivery and must instruct beneficiaries
on use of Medicare covered items, and maintain proof of delivery.
-
A
supplier must answer questions and respond to complaints of
beneficiaries, and maintain documentation of such contacts.
-
A
supplier must maintain and replace at no charge or repair directly, or
through a service contract with another company, Medicare - covered
items it has rented to beneficiaries.
-
A
supplier must accept returns of substandard (less than full quality
for the particular item) or unsuitable items (inappropriate for the
beneficiary at the time it was fitted and rented or sold) from
beneficiaries.
-
A
supplier must disclose these supplier standards to each beneficiary to
whom it supplies a Medicare-covered item.
-
A
supplier must disclose to the government any person having ownership,
financial, or control interest in the supplier.
-
A
supplier must not convey or reassign a supplier number; i.e., the
supplier may not sell or allow another entity to use its Medicare
billing number.
-
A
supplier must have a complaint resolution protocol established to
address beneficiary complaints that relate to these standards. A
record of these complaints must be maintained at the physical
facility.
-
Complaint
records must include: the name, address, telephone number and health
insurance claim number of the beneficiary, a summary of the complaint,
and any actions taken to resolve it.
-
A
supplier must agree to furnish HCFA any information required by the
Medicare statute and implementing regulations.
