The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that it will hold a special Open Door Forum (ODF) to discuss the implementation of surety bonds for certain suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies on Tuesday, March 17, 2009, from 2-3:30 p.m. ET.
On December 29, 2008, CMS announced that it was requiring certain DMEPOS suppliers to post a surety bond in an amount not less than $50,000. Existing suppliers subject to the bonding requirement must comply with this requirement by October 2, 2009, while newly enrolling suppliers subject to the bonding requirement must meet this requirement by May 4, 2009.
During this ODF, CMS staff will discuss the following issues:
- Key provisions of the January 2, 2009, final rule.
- Exemptions to surety bond requirement.
- Implementation dates.
- Definition of a final adverse action.
- Elevated surety bond amounts.
After the CMS staff discussion, there will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions.
To participate in the ODF, call 800.837.1935 and reference conference 88857015. TTY communications relay services will be available for the hearing impaired. For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 800.855.2880. For Internet relay services visit www.consumer.att.com/relay/which/index.html. A relay communications assistant will help.
According to CMS, an audio recording and transcript of the ODF will be posted to the Special Open Door Forum website (www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/05_ODF_SpecialODF.asp) and will be accessible for download beginning Wednesday, March 25, 2009.
