This article discusses the definition and type of home medical equipment (HME), also known as durable medical equipment (DME), and durable, prosthetic and orthotics medical equipment (DMEPOS).
Video Home medical equipment
HME/DMEPOS
Home medical equipment is a device category used for patients whose home-based care or other private facilities are managed by non-professional caregivers or family members. This is often referred to as "durable" medical equipment (DME) as it is intended to withstand repeated use by non-professionals or patients, and is appropriate for home use.
Disposable medical supplies, such as bandages, rubber gloves and aqueous kits are not considered by Medicare as DME.
In the US medical and insurance industry, the following acronym is used to describe home medical equipment:
- DME : Durable Medical Devices
- HME : Home Medical Equipment
- DMEPOS : Durable Medical, Prosthetic, Orthotic, and Medical Equipment
Maps Home medical equipment
Type of home medical equipment
The following is a representative example of home medical equipment
Getting and using home medical equipment
For most home medical devices to be replaced by insurance, a patient must have a doctor's prescription for the required equipment. Some equipment, such as oxygen, is FDA regulated and should be prescribed by a doctor before purchasing whether the insurance is replaced or otherwise.
The doctor may recommend a supplier for home medical equipment, or the patient should conduct his own research. HME/DMEPOS suppliers spread across the country and some specialty stores can also be found on the internet.
No typical measures are specified for HME/DMEPOS suppliers. Supplier companies include very large organizations such as Walgreens, Lincare, and Apria for smaller local companies operated by single owners or families. A new evolution in the home medical equipment arena is the emergence of internet retailers that have lower operating costs so they often sell the equipment at lower prices than local "bricks and mortar", but lack the ability to offer home arrangements, equipment training and customer service. In all cases, however, there are strict rules and laws governing HME/DMEPOS suppliers who participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs. In addition to the rules outlined by the National Supplier Clearinghouse, the distribution of CMS (Medicare and Medicaid centers), all Medicare DME suppliers must obtain and maintain accreditation by one of the many approved accreditation bodies.
Once a patient or caregiver selects the appropriate HME/DMEPOS supplier, he presents suppliers with prescription and patient insurance information. HME/DMEPOS suppliers store inventory of products and equipment, so that recipes are quick, just like Pharmacies.
HME/DMEPOS suppliers are obliged to perform certain functions when providing home medical equipment. These include:
- Proper delivery and equipment settings
- Ensure a suitable and secure home environment for proper use of the tools
- Train patients, families and carers about the proper use and maintenance of equipment
- Inform patients and/or carers about their rights and responsibilities
All HME/DMEPOS suppliers are required to comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to protect patient confidentiality and records.
Insurance
Home medical equipment is usually covered by a patient's health insurance, including Medicare (Part B). In order to properly encode the home medical equipment for billing, HCPC HCC System is used. In 2014, under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, HME/DMEPOS providers will be required to become an accredited third party for standards set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to continue eligibility under the Medicare Section B. This effort aims to standardize and improve the quality of care for patients provided by suppliers of home medical equipment.
See also
- Medical devices
- Medical technology
- Medical equipment
- Credit cabinet
- Medtrade - the largest international trade fair for HME in the US
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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