Providers that order, refer, or supply certain medical equipment and supplies, such as oxygen or power wheelchairs, need to know about a new Medicare program that may change the suppliers their patients will need to use.
The new program will begin July 1, 2008, in 10 geographic areas around the country, including Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord, N.C.-S.C.; Cincinnati-Middletown, Ohio-Ky.-Ind.; Cleveland-Elyria-Mentor, Ohio; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, Texas; Kansas City, Mo.-Kan.; Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Miami Beach, Fla.; Orlando-Kissimmee, Fla.; Pittsburgh; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, Calif.; and San Juan-Caguas-Guaynabo, P.R. The program will expand to 70 additional areas in 2009 and to additional areas thereafter.
Patients who live in or travel to one of these 10 designated areas must now get equipment or supplies that fall within 10 product categories from a Medicare-contracted supplier. Providers are highly encouraged to provide their patients with the Medicare fact sheet entitled “What You Should Know if You Need Medicare-Covered Equipment or Supplies.”
