Are you Aware of the Billing Process for DME?

According to bcbsnc.com, “Durable medical equipment (DME) is any equipment that provides therapeutic benefits to a member because of certain medical conditions and/or illnesses, and that can withstand repeated use, is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose, and is appropriate for use in the home.” DME items include wheelchairs, cranes, orthotics, compression sleeves, slings, crutches, etc. Further, some items are termed as ‘capped rentals.’ These are items that are used only for a short period of time where the rental is more appropriate than a purchase. Let’s discuss in detail about Billing Process for DME.

Medical Billing Process for DME

Prescription

For DME billing, a prescription is required for rent or purchase along with the quantity of the DME mentioned.

Verification

Verify the demographics and other data with the patient before filing for claims

Credentials

In the case of billing by a DME supplier, they must meet the credentialing requirement before applying for reimbursement. Apart from covered cast supplies, the billing for DME providers goes to the DME carrier and not to the Medicare Part B carrier.

CMS-1500 Form

Billing must be processed electronically on the CMS-1500 form.

Documentation

Ensure complete documentation with the physician’s treatment plan along with the time frame of the DME to be used.

Codes and modifiers

Add the appropriate HCPCS codes, procedure codes, maintenance, and repair modifier codes (in this order). Use E1399 or other HCPCS codes if an apt one does not exist. Also, a useful lifetime for a product is considered to be from 1-3 years. If the same HCPCS is used before this time passes, coverage can be denied (e.g. knee braces).

Factory Invoice

An invoice with a complete description of the item, including the medical necessity form with the physician’s signature should be attached. However, this cannot go electronically with the claim form.

Note: All initial documents must be submitted in one envelope and only then processed electronically. This increases the accuracy and efficiency of the billing process.

Date of Services

Mention the date of injury (DOI) for better clarity. Also, if required, mention the DOS (Date of Service) which is the day the patient died or stopped using the DME.

Supporting documents

For ensuring the necessity of the product, documents such as chart notes, surgery notes, LMN/CMN, product descriptions may be attached.

Coverage

This begins on the day the apparatus is delivered, set up/installed, and ready for use by the patient at the place desired (usually home) or sometimes could be a skilled nursing facility.

Repair claims

If any claims for repair exist, bill it with an entire explanation of the services.

Usage of dashboards and other software reporting tools can enable easy to access data, check on the held A/R, payments, and denials, and comprise a detailed analysis on the increase in revenue and merchandise profitability. To ensure higher revenues, a better procedure for the physician is to dispense the DME from their practice rather than from a DME provider.

Check if the guidelines are aptly followed by your DME staff in order to avoid errors and get fully reimbursed.

Ready to Outsource Billing Process for DME?

We at MedicalBillersandCoders simplify billing process for DME with streamlined revenue cycle management process. You can get in touch with us at 888-357-3226 or email us at info@medicalbillersandcoders.com.

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