As a result of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, CMS developed new quality standards for DMEPOS suppliers. These standards required suppliers that bill Medicare Part B with a National Supplier Clearinghouse DMERC number for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) to become accredited as a supplier.  The deadline for this accreditation was established as September 30, 2009.

This requirement was modified in July 2008 when the House and Senate passed HR 6331 – the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA). One provision in the law states that eligible professionals and other persons are exempt from meeting the September 30, 2009 accreditation deadline until CMS determines that the quality standards are specifically designed to apply to such professionals and other persons. MIPPA also states that CMS may exempt such professionals and other persons from the quality standards based on the licensing, accreditation or other mandatory quality requirements that may apply.

CMS interpreted how to proceed with this law and held an Open Door Forum on Wednesday, September 03, 2008 to discuss their determinations. During this Open Door Forum call, CMS announced that eligible professionals (which include OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS and PHYSICAL THERAPISTS) are EXEMPT at this time from the mandatory accreditation requirement for DMEPOS suppliers. Thus, it is not necessary to become accredited in order to either maintain or obtain a National Supplier Clearinghouse number for DMEPOS. More information can be found by reading the DMEPOS Accreditation Fact Sheet.

The National Board of Accreditation for Orthotic Suppliers (NBAOS) has been in close contact with CMS regarding this law and the impact of this law on occupational therapists, physical therapists and physicians. NBAOS supports the decision CMS has made regarding providers not meeting supplier quality standards.