BALTIMORE--The DMERCs announced last week that there will be a grace period for the implementation of a rule that does away with the power mobility certificate of medical necessity.

The interim final rule for power mobility devices, which took effect Oct. 25, replaces the power mobility CMN with a face-to-face exam and a doctor's prescription. Providers also are now responsible for gathering records that prove a patient's medical necessity for power mobility before delivering the device (see HomeCare Monday, Aug. 29).

In a notice issued last week, the DMERCs said that following discussions with CMS, they will honor PMD orders signed and dated by the treating physician before Oct. 25 and will not subject the claim to the requirements of the new rule if it is subjected to a manual medical review. Instead, the prior documentation requirements will be applied:

--there must be a dispensing order for the PMD from the physician that is obtained by the supplier prior to delivery of the device;
--there must be a detailed written order for the PMD which is signed and dated by the treating physician and received by the supplier prior to billing the device;
--there must be documentation in the patient's medical record that the coverage criteria for the PMD have been met; and
--all of this documentation must be available to the DMERC on request.

Meanwhile, the National Coalition for Assistive and Rehab Technology announced that it is not supporting a proposed amendment to the Senate's budget bill from Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., to rescind the IFR and delay its implementation until April 2006 (see HomeCare Monday, Oct. 31).

While much of the industry supports the move to provide more time for education on the change, "most rehab companies have close relationships with their physicians and have been working with them since [the National Coverage Determination] came out in May," according to NCART Executive Director Sharon Hildebrandt. "We feel [delaying the rule] would lead to more confusion. It's just not a priority for us."

In addition, the organization said it opposes the 1.5 percent reduction in power wheelchair reimbursement incorporated into the amendment as a way to pay for the delay.

To view the notice on the IFR grace period, click here.