The new Medicare fee schedule for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) has been released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The fee schedule is effective Jan. 1, 2026. CMS announced the Consumer Price Index Urban (CPI-U) percentage increase as 2.7%. But in a Dec. 22 bulletin, the American Association…
CMS Releases 2026 Medicare Fee Schedule Changes
CMS Final Rule Restarts Competitive Bidding, Requires Annual DMEPOS Accreditation
Urological, ostomy and tracheostomy supplies were deemed to be appropriate for Medicare competitive bidding.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) home health calendar year 2026 final rule revives Medicare’s controversial competitive bidding program and requires annual accreditation for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers who bill Medicare. The long-awaited final rule was published on Nov. 28. Accreditation to become an annual requirement Accreditation, which…
Briefly: CMS Announces Medicare Part B Premium, Deductible; New Mobility Seeks a Print Return
Featuring the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and United Spinal Association.
CMS Announces Medicare Part B Premium, Deductible Increases for 2026 The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $202.90 in 2026. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $283. That’s an increase of $17.90 for the monthly…
CMS PMD Policy Article Revisions Include Power-Assist Changes
The changes update descriptions for power assist and power add-ons.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated its policy article for power mobility devices (PMDs) — and the latest article contains updates to power-assist definitions and descriptions. The effective revision date for the changes is Oct. 1, 2025. A power-assist system, HCPCS coded E0986, is described as “An electrically powered option that…
Medicare Claims on Hold as Government Shuts Down, Telehealth Flexibilities End
As the government shut down Oct. 1, pre-pandemic Medicare telehealth policies resumed.
As the federal government shut down on Oct. 1 due to lack of funding, Noridian Healthcare Solutions — the DME MAC for Jurisdiction A — sent out a reminder to stakeholders that Medicare claims would be put on hold. “When certain legislative payment provisions (“extenders”) are scheduled to expire, CMS [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid…
Proposed Rule: CMS Wants Major Changes to DMEPOS Accreditation Process, Accreditation Organizations
The proposed rule recommends annual re-accreditation for suppliers.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has suggested significant changes to its accreditation requirements for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers — as well as big changes for the accreditation organizations themselves. CMS listed the changes it wants to see in the home health proposed rule published July 2 in…
HHS: 2.8 Million Americans Enrolled in Duplicate Medicaid, CHIP, ACA Plans
The Department of Health & Human Services estimated that eliminating duplicate enrollments could save $14 billion per year.
The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) said an analysis of 2024 enrollment data uncovered 2.8 million Americans who are enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in more than one state, or who are enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP while also being enrolled in a subsidized Affordable Care Act (ACA) exchange plan.…
Proposed Rule in Depth: CMS Scrutinizes Accrediting Organizations, DMEPOS Suppliers
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services wants suppliers to be reaccredited annually.
The proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) takes a critical look at current accreditation policies and procedures for suppliers who bill Medicare for durable medical equipment, prosthetic, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS). The proposed rule — published in the Federal Register on July 2 as the Calendar Year 2026 Home Health…
2026 Proposed Rule: CMS Recommends Annual DMEPOS Accreditation, Prior Authorization Changes
The changes were listed in the proposed rule for the calendar year 2026 home health prospective payment system.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) wants Medicare durable medical equipment (DME) providers to be re-accredited annually, and also wants to change the prior authorization process for suppliers billing Medicare. The proposed changes were listed in the Calendar Year 2026 Home Health Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule Fact Sheet, CMS-1828-P, released June 30.…
Briefly: CMS to Increase Medicaid Oversight; New Whirlpool Dishwasher Features Accessible Rack Design
Featuring the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Whirlpool, and United Spinal Association.
CMS Announces ‘Increased Oversight’ on Medicaid Use for People in US Illegally The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will more closely scrutinize Medicaid funding “to stop states from misusing federal Medicaid dollars to cover health care for individuals who are in the country illegally,” the agency said in a May 27 press release.…