Change Can Be Good

As we have been discussing, there are a number of changes that will be occurring on certificates of medical necessity that will take effect on Oct. 1, 2006, and three more of them are included in this column for the osteogenesis stimulator, TENS unit and seat lift mechanism. These changes are as follows:

• Osteogenesis Stimulator — The osteogenesis stimulator form will change from a DMERC 04.03C to a DME MAC 04.04C.

  In Section A under “Certification Type/Date,” a recertification field has been added. The blocks for supplier and physician information have both been updated to indicate to ask for an NPI number.

  In Section B under the “Answers” block, the form now states “Questions 1-5 are blank.” The word “electrical” (in what used to be the first sentence) now reads “nonspinal electrical osteogenesis” and (in what used to be the second sentence) “spinal electrical osteogenesis.” A fourth sentence has also been added that reads, “Answer questions 6 and 12 for ultrasonic osteogenesis stimulator.”

  Question 6a has been changed and now reads, “In a fracture, has there been no clinically significant radiographic evidence of healing for a minimum of 90 days?” Question 7 has the following words added: “Does the patient have a failed fusion of a joint other than the spine?” Questions 7b and 8 have stayed the same, but Question 9a has the following change: “… repeat single level spinal fusion surgery in a ….” Question 9b has stayed the same.

  Question 10a has changed in the following way: “… to repeat single level spinal fusion ….” Questions 10b and 10c remain the same. Question 11 now reads, “Is the device being ordered following multi-level spinal fusion surgery?” Question 12 has been added and reads, “Has there been at least one open surgical intervention for treatment of the fracture?”

  The only other change to this form is that it no longer states that signature and date stamps are not acceptable.

• TENS — The transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulator form will change from DMERC form 06.02B to DME MAC 06.03B.

  In Section A under “Certification Type/Date,” a recertification field has been added, and the blocks for supplier and physician information have both been updated to indicate to ask for an NPI number.