BALTIMORE--HME providers will have to wait a bit longer for documentation guidance on Medicare's new mobility coverage policy.

On Friday afternoon, the four durable medical equipment regional carriers released a transition article following CMS' May 5 National Coverage Determination for mobility that stated: "It is expected that the patient's medical records will reflect the need for the care provided. The patient's medical records include the physician's office records, hospital records, nursing home records, home health agency records, records from other health care professionals and test reports."

The article said additional information related to documentation of medical necessity will be included in the power mobility Local Coverage Determination. A draft LCD is expected to be released later this summer.

For now, the DMERCs reminded providers that "they may be asked to provide information that corroborates the medical need for the item provided ... We encourage suppliers to work with their referral sources to ensure the adequacy of the medical record."

The transition article does match the current certificates of medical necessity for power wheelchairs, scooters and manual wheelchairs to the national coverage policy, telling clinicians which questions to answer--and not answer--when prescribing equipment under the new system. Some questions on the CMNs no longer apply, the article said, because coverage is now based on a patient's ability to perform activities of daily living instead of on previous "bed- or chair-confined" language. The new criteria apply to all Medicare mobility claims with dates of service from May 5 forward.

According to Seth Johnson, director of government relations for Pride Mobility, Exeter, Pa., companion regulations to the NCD--including a new wheelchair CMN, a revised POV policy and a face-to-face physician exam requirement--"should include some additional documentation guidance as well.

"We're looking for clear instructions ... that would not be open to interpretation," he added. "We just want to know the rules of the road."

Johnson, who met with CMS officials last week as chair of AAHomecare's Rehab and Assistive Technology Committee, said these regulations have become "a top priority" at CMS headquarters in Baltimore and their release is expected "very soon."

Contact your DMERC for more information. Links to each DMERC are available on HomeCare's Web site by clicking here.