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Category Archives: DME Treatment Protocols

Medicare DME Reimbursement Increases in 2022

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2022 Updated reimbursements:

Depth Shoes (A5500): pair $186.72 (Ceiling)
Prefabricated, Heat Molded Inserts (A5512): pair $76.16 (Ceiling)
Custom Milled Inserts (A5514): pair $113.64 (Ceiling)
Depth Shoes w/3 pr. Prefab, Heat Molded Inserts: $415.20 (Ceiling)
Depth Shoes w/3 pr. Custom Milled Inserts: $527.64 (Ceiling)
Custom Molded Shoes (A5501): $560.00 (Ceiling)
Arizona AFO, Standard (L1940, L2330, L2820): each – Ceiling $1281.17, Floor $960.88
Arizona Balance Brace (L1940, L2330, L2820): pair – Ceiling $2562.34, Floor $1921.76

Medicare DME Reimbursement Increases in 2020

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Good news!

On January 1, 2020, Medicare increased the amount it pays for diabetic shoes, Moore Balance Brace and Arizona custom AFOs.

While the amounts paid may vary slightly by state, the National Fee Schedule is as follows:

Depth Shoes (A5500): pair $147.74
Prefabricated, Heat Molded Inserts (A5512): pair $60.26
Custom Milled Inserts (A5514): pair $89.92

Depth Shoes w/3 pr. Prefab, Heat Molded Inserts: $328.52
Depth Shoes w/3 pr. Custom Molded Inserts: $417.50

Custom Molded Shoes w/offset heels and rocker bottoms: $585.26

Arizona AFO, Standard (L1940, L2330, L2820): each – Ceiling $1216.57, Floor $912.42
Moore Balance Brace (L1940, L2330, L2820): pair – Ceiling $2433.14, Floor $1824.84

For a complete listing of updated DME allowables, including prefabricated and custom ankle-foot orthoses, visit:

https://www.cms.gov/medicaremedicare-fee-service-paymentdmeposfeescheddmepos-fee-schedule/dme20a

Medicare DME Reimbursement Increases in 2019

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Good news!
On January 1, 2019, Medicare increased the amount it pays for diabetic shoes, Moore Balance Brace and Arizona custom AFOs.

While the amounts paid may vary slightly by state, the National Fee Schedule is as follows:
Depth Shoes (A5500): pair $146.42
Prefabricated, Heat Molded Inserts (A5512): pair $59.72
Custom Milled Inserts (A5514): pair $89.12
Depth Shoes w/3 pr. Prefab, Heat Molded Inserts: $325.36
Depth Shoes w/3 pr. Custom Molded Inserts: $413.78
Custom Molded Shoes w/offset heels and rocker bottoms: $656.62
Arizona AFO, Standard (L1940, L2330, L2820): each – Ceiling $1178.61, Floor $904.29
Moore Balance Brace (L1940, L2330, L2820): pair – Ceiling $2357.22, Floor $1808.58

For a complete listing of updated DME allowables, including prefabricated and custom ankle-foot orthoses, visit:
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/DMEPOSFeeSched/DMEPOS-Fee-Schedule-Items/DME19-A.html?DLPage=1&DLEntries=10&DLSort=2&DLSortDir=descending

MIPS DRIVES SUCCESS BY PROMOTING FALL RISK ASSESSMENT, FITTING SHOES, ORTHOSES & AFOS

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Failure to submit Medicare MIPS quality measures will cost physicians tens of thousands of dollars. In 2018, podiatrists have to submit quality measures all year and not for just a 3-month window, like in 2017. Also, the penalty for not submitting increased to 5% of Medicare payments. However, podiatrists should appreciate that performing MIPS measures may also allow billing for office visits and will increase awareness of when balance AFOs, payable by Medicare, should be prescribed.

DON’T BE HIT WITH MIPS PENALTIES: DOWNLOAD THE LATEST MIPS FALL RISK ASSESSMENT TOOL HERE

MIPS quality measures 154, falls risk assessment and 155, falls, plan of care, address falls being the leading cause of injuries for older adults. One in four Americans aged 65 and over falls each year. By identifying people with gait instability, podiatrists can reduce this risk and make fall prevention a valuable part of their practice.

Physicians should annually, ask every patient, 65 and over, whether they have fallen in the past year. If so, they should follow-up by asking how many times and if the patient suffered an injury. Patients who have fallen two or more times or once with injury are defined to be at high risk.

These patients should be evaluated using a fall risk assessment form available from SafeStep.
Gait, strength and balance are assessed by having patients perform a “Timed Up and Go Test”. Patients stand, walk 10 feet, turn around and sit down. If TUG takes more than 12 seconds, there’s a good chance such conditions as: muscle weakness, difficulty walking or unsteadiness on feet are present.

MIPS 154 also requires assessing another contributing factor to falling including:
• a review of medications, or
• asking if the patient has had an eye exam in the past year, or
• reviewing other possibly contributing medical conditions, or
• determining the presence of postural hypotension.

Patients should be provided with a Plan of Care that includes balance, strength and gait training instructions, advice about vitamin D and information about home fall hazards. To make it easy, when using the assessment form available from SafeStep, simply tear off and give the patient a sheet that’s part of it.

When patients have NOT fallen two or more times or once with injury, submit MIPS quality measure 154 using CPT code 1101F.

If patients at high risk for falls are evaluated and provided a plan of care, consider billing E&M code 99213. Also submit codes 3288F and 1100F for MIPS 154 and 0518F for MIPS 155.
When there is fall risk, based on gait assessment, consider prescriptions for balance footwear, foot orthotics and possibly balance AFOs.

SafeStep has available, for free, copies of a Fall Risk Assessment form that assists in satisfying the MIPS fall prevention requirements. Medicare compliance documentation for AFOs can be best assured by using SafeStep’s WorryFree DME program.

Medicare DME Reimbursement Increases in 2018

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Good news!
On January 1, 2018, Medicare increased the amount it pays for diabetic shoes, Moore Balance Brace and Arizona custom AFOs.

While the amounts paid may vary slightly by state, the National Fee Schedule is as follows:
Depth Shoes (A5500): pair $143.12
Prefabricated, Heat Molded Inserts (A5512): pair $58.38
Custom Molded Inserts (A5513): pair $87.12
Depth Shoes w/3 pr. Prefab, Heat Molded Inserts: $318.26
Depth Shoes w/3 pr. Custom Molded Inserts: $404.48
Custom Molded Shoes w/offset heels and rocker bottoms: $570.38
Arizona AFO, Standard (L1940, L2330, L2820): each – Ceiling $1178.61 Floor $883.96
Moore Balance Brace (L1940, L2330, L2820): pair – Ceiling $2357.22 Floor $1767.92

For a complete listing of updated DME allowables, including prefabricated and custom ankle-foot orthoses, visit:
https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/DMEPOSFeeSched/DMEPOS-Fee-Schedule-Items/DME18-A.html?DLPage=1&DLEntries=10&DLSort=2&DLSortDir=descending

MIPS DRIVES SUCCESS BY PROMOTING CDFE AND SHOE FITTING IN 2018

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Failure to submit Medicare MIPS quality measures will cost physicians tens of thousands of dollars. In 2018, podiatrists have to submit qualify measures all year and not for just a 3-month window, like in 2017. Also, the penalty for not submitting increases to 5% of Medicare payments. However, podiatrists should appreciate that performing MIPS measures may also allow billing for office visits and will increase awareness of when shoes and inserts, payable by Medicare, should be prescribed.

MIPS quality measures 126 and 127, diabetic foot exam including evaluation of footwear, address the association of neuropathy with diabetic foot ulceration. Properly fit shoes have been demonstrated to significantly reduce the likelihood of foot ulceration in patients with diabetes. By identifying people who qualify for shoes paid for by Medicare, podiatrists can make shoe fitting a valuable part of their practice.
Podiatrists should annually perform an ulcerative risk assessment on every patient with diabetes. A CDFE should include testing for loss of protective threshold using a 10-gram monofilament plus at least one of the following neurological exams including feeling vibration using a tuning fork, pinprick sensation, or ankle reflexes. Testing should also look for vascular, dermatological and structural findings. The foot should be sized using a standard measuring device, and the patient counseled on appropriate footwear based on risk categorization.

Patients with Medicare and diabetes who are identified to be at increased risk for ulceration should be fit with shoes and inserts. Shoe fitting will be most successful when patients are recommended models based on the consideration of what’s referred to as the 4 S’s of shoe fitting: Size, Shape, Stability & Style.

When patients with diabetes are given a comprehensive diabetic foot exam and provided a plan of care, which may include prescribing shoes, consider billing E&M code 99213. Also, submit codes G8404 for MIPS 126 and G8410 for MIPS 127.

SafeStep has available, for free, copies of a CDFE form that assists in satisfying the MIPS diabetic foot examination requirements. Medicare compliance documentation for diabetic shoe-fitting can be best assured by using SafeStep’s WorryFree DME program.

To access SafeSTep training and webinars, visit:

DME Training

Free Webinar Instructionals

Keys for Success: Fall Risk Prevention … It’s a Best Practice!

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The SafeStep Keys for Success that you’ll see here are based on real examples from podiatrists and can dramatically improve your practice.

October Key for Success: Set Up a Fall Risk Prevention Program

On an annual basis, it is important to ask every patient 65 years of age and older, if they have fallen in past year. This is a baseline for a fall-risk assessment and is a precautionary measure to help more patients.

If patients have not fallen or have fallen once without injury, consider them to be NOT at high risk for falls.

If patients have fallen once and been injured or two or more times without injury, consider them to BE at high risk for falls and use SafeStep’s “Functional Fall Risk Assessment Tool” to determine the basis for increased risk.

If fall risk assessment determines the increased risk to be orthopedic in origin, perform a “Biomechanical Evaluation” to determine the specific etiology and guide a plan of care. Such a plan might include:

  • Offering assistive devices including canes and walkers for those at risk.
  • Providing patients guidance about footwear options that will enhance stability.
  • Consideration of foot orthoses that can decrease foot pain and improve support.
  • Providing physical/occupational therapy options.
  • When appropriate, casting for bilateral Moore Balance Braces.
  • Its appropriate to bill an EM charge when fall risk is determined and a plan of care provided.

In order to learn more about how to get started:

1.     Read articles in library section of SafeStep website.

2.     Register at SafeStep.net for the training webinar: “Fall Risk Management with Moore Balance”.

3.     Call for SafeStep at 866.712.STEP for patient information brochures, order forms, free mailing labels and STS casting kit.

4.     Review the semi-weightbearing casting technique. Video located in AZ AFO section of SafeStep website, Library section.

5.     The SafeStep website features all Medicare required compliance documentation.

AFO Height Requirement Removed: Here’s the Latest on How to Appropriately Bill Prefabricated and Custom Fabricated Devices

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The Medicare height requirement for AFOs that became effective January 1, 2013 has been removed.  Billing of prefabricated and custom gauntlets and AFOs remains, as it was, last year.

Some AFOs were unaffected by the January 1 change, some devices were affected but are now not impacted and other AFOs are still subject by earlier policy changes.

The following is a summary of where things stand in February 2013.  DPMs are reminded to include in their documentation the rationale for prescribing the specific device to be supplied/dispensed.  As always, the final and sole responsibility for correct coding, within established laws, rules and standards of practice, rests upon the party submitting the claim.

 

L1902, “AFO ankle gauntlet, prefabricated”

Not required to have PDAC verification nor need extend as high as to near the fibular head.
The 2013 fee schedule ranges, depending on the state, from $69 to $92.

Examples, recommended by the manufacturers and by SafeStep to be billed as such include:

Ossur Gameday, Exoform
Aircast A60
Darco Web, Sport, Pro
Medspec ASO
SafeStep DME Multiligamentous Sport

 

L1906, “AFO multiligamentous ankle, prefabricated”

Since 7/1/2012, are the only AFO required to have, active PDAC verification and are defined to have “a hinged ankle and a rigid stirrup and foot plate which provides functional tracking of the ankle with hind-foot and mid-foot stability during ambulation.”.

The 2013 fee schedule ranges, depending on the state, from $104 to $241.

Examples of such devices with active PDAC verification include:

Darco Body Armor Vario
Medspec EVO Hinge
Swede-O Arch Lok, Atom, Dorsi-Assist
United Surgical Trailblazer Hinged Ankle
Ossur Rebound

DPMs are advised to consult the PDAC website, www.dmepdac.com to ensure that PDAC verification is present and active. There are products that have design features to qualify as L1906 but have not had PDAC revalidation, as required, subsequent to last year’s Policy change.  The above list is as of 2/7/2013 and is subject to change. For a complete list of L1906 devices with effective L1906 verification click:

https://www.dmepdac.com/dmecsapp/do/productsearch

 

L1907, “AFO supramalleolar, with straps”

PDAC verification not required.
The 2013 fee schedule for such devices ranges, depending on the state, from $512 to $564.

 

L1930, “AFO plastic or other material, prefabricated”

No longer required to extend as high as the just below the fibular head.
PDAC verification not required.
The 2013 fee schedule for such devices, depending on the state, range from $170 to $326.

Examples recommended by the manufacturers and by SafeStep to be billed as such include:

FLA Orthopedics Foot Drop Splint
Ossur
Ossur
FLA		 AFO Light
AFO Leaf Spring
Foot Drop Splint

 

L1951, “AFO, spiral plastic or other material, prefabricated”

No longer required to extend to just below the fibular head.
PDAC verification not required.
The 2013 fee schedule for such devices ranges, depending on the state, from $765 to $841.

Example recommended by the manufacturer and by SafeStep to be billed as such:

Eurointernational             Perosupport (formerly Peromax)

 

L1971, “AFO with ankle joint, prefabricated”

PDAC verification is not required. No longer required to extend to just below the fibular head.
The 2013 fee schedule ranges, depending on the state, ranges from $427 to $469.

Examples recommended by the manufacturers and by SafeStep to be billed as such include:

Ossur Rebound
DJO Velocity
Swede-O SureStep
Bledsoe Axiom

 

L2340, “pre-tibial shell, molded to patient model”

According to the January 2013 Policy Article, “a pre-tibial shell, custom fabricated, provides a rigid overlapping interlocking anterior tibial control between the tibial tuberosity to a point no greater than 3 inches proximal to the medial malleolus. The pre-tibial shell can be constructed from thermosetting materials, thermoplastics, or composite type materials.”

PDAC verification not required.
The 2013 fee schedule, depending on the state, ranges from $390 to $582.

 

L4350, “ankle control orthosis, stirrup style, rigid”

PDAC verification is not required. Unaffected by the recent Policy Article.
The 2013 fee schedule ranges, depending on the state, from $78 to $147.

Examples recommended by the manufacturers and by SafeStep to be billed as such include:

Ossur Formfit, Airform Universal
Aircast Airlift PTTD, Airsport, Air Stirrup
SafeStep  DME Air Stirrup, Foam Stirrup
Swede-O Versi-Splint

 

L4361, “AFO walking boot type, varus / valgus correction (CROW)”

Defined by LCD revision of 1/1/2011.
The 2013 fee schedule ranges, depending on the state, from $1400 to $1931.

 

L4386, “Walking boot, non-pneumatic”

Unaffected by the recent Policy Article.
The 2013 fee schedule for such devices ranges, depending on the state, from $144 to $158.

 

L4396, “static or dynamic AFO including soft interface, adjustable for fit, for positioning, minimal ambulation, prefabricated”

(Plantar fascia night splints)
Must as of 1/1/10 have adjustability. Many dorsal night splints commonly billed using this code lack “adjustably for fit” and so do not qualify for Medicare reimbursement. This item is an exception in that while others AFOs need be for ambulation, L4396 needs not when used for treatment of plantar fasciitis (728.71) or as part of a treatment plan for plantar flexion contracture of 10 degrees or greater (718.47).

The 2013 fee schedule ranges, depending on the state, from $150 to $183.

 

Arizona-type AFO / Moore Balance Brace

PDAC verification and an Advisory Article remain in place for Arizona AFO type custom gauntlets. According to PDAC, Arizona Short and Arizona Tall, or similar custom fabricated braces (including the Moore Balance Brace), only the following codes should be used:

  • L1940 Ankle foot orthosis, plastic or other material, custom fabricated
  • L2330 Addition to lower extremity, lacer or Velcro closure, molded to patient model, for custom fabricated orthosis only
  • L2820 Addition to lower extremity orthosis, soft interface for molded plastic below knee section
  • The 2013 fee schedule ranges, depending on the state, from $850 to $1389.
  • For the Arizona Extended and the Arizona Unweighting or similar custom fabricated braces, only the following codes should be used:
  • L1960 Ankle foot orthosis, posterior solid ankle, plastic, custom-fabricated
  • L2330 Addition to lower extremity, lacer molded to patient model, for custom fabricated orthosis only
  • L2820 Addition to lower extremity orthosis, soft interface for molded plastic below knee section

The 2013 fee schedule ranges, depending on the state, from $902 to $1484.

 

Thermoplastic hinged articulated AFO

Devices that meet the description as L1970, “AFO, plastic with ankle joint, custom fabricated” are no longer required extend to within 4 cm of the fibular head. When they include a soft interface, code L2820 can also be billed.

The 2013 fee schedule for such devices ranges, depending on the state, from $621 to $929.

 

SafeStep presents a free live webinar on DME Treatment Protocols that includes all the latest coding and compliance issues.  To see the schedule and to register, CLICK HERE.

Your comments are welcome and appreciated. Updates relating to this and other coding, billing and compliance issues will be posted on the SafeStep blog, www.safestepblog.net.

 

Josh White, DPM, CPed

Joshwhite@safestep.net

 

A Case for Integrating Pedorthists into Podiatric Practices

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Podiatrists have traditionally provided referrals to their patients who need therapeutic footwear. However, the opportunity to increase practice revenue, patient desire for “one-stop shopping,” and growing awareness of the Medicare Therapeutic Shoe Program have resulted in podiatrists increasingly making shoe fitting a part of their practices. As podiatrists become more efficient and skilled at fitting shoes and recognize how much they can benefit their patients while improving their bottom line, this trend is expected to continue.

Podiatrists can work most efficiently by creating “practice protocols” whereby commonly seen conditions are directed to and addressed in a routine way by trained office staff. Such an approach lends itself well to fitting patients who have diabetes and are at risk for ulceration with therapeutic footwear. Even before these patients meet with the podiatrist, offices can identify them and provide them with a brochure or information packet that details the role footwear can play in reducing their risk.

Continue Reading…

How To Integrate DME Into Treatment Protocols – Part 7

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Secrets To Effective Inventory Management Of DME

Busy podiatry practices must make efficient use of the office space available in order to manage DME inventory.

Select products that offer an opportunity to be used for multiple conditions. Depending on the frequency of need and space allowance, consider products that one can use on the left and right foot, and that require fewer sizes. For less common conditions, establish a protocol for items to be used and the vendor that will provide the products.

The goal of maintaining inventory is to have on hand those items that are part of the treatment protocols, in sufficient quantity and sizes, given the physical confines of the available space. The practice should maintain a certain minimum quantity of products on hand, taking into consideration the rate at which they are used and the time for delivery. If the practice consistently runs out of products before the designated reorder time, increase the minimum quantity.

The medical assistants and physician should periodically review how well the devices are working, how much patients like them and what they can do to improve application. Consider new products, different products as recommended by others and products presented at conferences.

It is essential to designate a person in the practice who is responsible for organizing storage areas and determining maximum and minimum quantities for all products in all sizes.

Create a designated frequency and day when the ordering person checks inventory and orders as appropriate. The practice manager should periodically review quantities of products in stock and prices paid. Ordering can be easier via the use of customized screens on the given distributor’s website. Distributors can also help practitioners to order in a timely fashion by sending customized order forms that indicate the quantity of products to keep on hand and the price paid.