Health Care Reform Passes - What to do now if
you are not accredited and 'stepped down'

Pharmacies are exempt from DME accreditation requirements until January 2011. After that time, the new health care reform law requires that CMS provide an exemption from accreditation to pharmacies who Medicare DME billings average no greater than 5% of total pharmacy sales, have had a Medicare billing number in good standing for the last 5 years, and agree to provide certain documentation to prove they meet these criteria. A reading of the law would imply that pharmacies open fewer than 5 years and new pharmacies are not eligible for an exemption. Pharmacies that are currently accredited would not have to get reaccredited if they meet these criteria. We will be working with CMS to make sure that the new law is implemented consistent with Congress intent. Current law still requires DME suppliers to have a surety bond.

Some unaccredited pharmacies may have already stepped down from selling DME. Others may have voluntarily terminated. If you wish to now get back into the program, CMS has provided us with the following instructions:  Check CMS website http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PrescriptionDrugCovContra/PartDMMM/list.asp