Pre-Discharge Delivery of DMEPOS for Fitting and Training

The following are CMS policy and billing procedures regarding the circumstances under which a supplier may deliver durable medical equipment, prosthetics, and orthotics - but not supplies - to a beneficiary who is in an inpatient facility that does not qualify as the beneficiary's home.


 Conditions That Must Be Met



In some cases, it would be appropriate for a supplier to deliver a medically necessary item of durable medical equipment (DME), a prosthetic, or an orthotic - but not supplies -to a beneficiary who is an inpatient in a facility that does not qualify as the beneficiary's home. The CMS will presume that the pre-discharge delivery of DME, a prosthetic, or an orthotic (hereafter "item") is appropriate when all the following conditions are met:

1. The item is medically necessary for use by the beneficiary in the beneficiary's home.

2. The item is medically necessary on the date of discharge, i.e., there is a physician's order with a stated initial date of need that is no later than the date of discharge for home use.

3. The supplier delivers the item to the beneficiary in the facility solely for the purpose of fitting the beneficiary for the item, or training the beneficiary in the use of the item, and the item is for subsequent use in the beneficiary's home.

 4. The supplier delivers the item to the beneficiary no earlier than two days before the day the facility discharges the beneficiary.

5. The supplier ensures that the beneficiary takes the item home, or the supplier picks up the item at the facility and delivers it to the beneficiary's home on the date of discharge.

6. The reason the supplier furnishes the item is not for the purpose of eliminating the facility's responsibility to provide an item that is medically necessary for the beneficiary's use or treatment while the beneficiary is in the facility. Such items are included in the Diagnostic Related Group (DRG) or Prospective Payment System (PPS) rates.

7. The supplier does not claim payment for the item for any day prior to the date of discharge.

8. The supplier does not claim payment for additional costs that the supplier incurs in ensuring that the item is delivered to the beneficiary's home on the date of discharge. The supplier cannot bill the beneficiary for redelivery.

9. The beneficiary's discharge must be to a qualified place of service (e.g., home, custodial facility), but not to another facility (e.g., inpatient or skilled nursing) that does not qualify as the beneficiary's home.