At 08:21 AM 4/11/02 -0400, you wrote:
>In the meantime, I provide a quality product much faster than any O&P
>facility in my area at the same price or less. No, I don’t have a
>facility, but so what? Does that make you more qualified? That just
>increases your
>overhead!
>
>Sincerely,
>
>J. Todd Griffin MS, ATC
>
It certainly does create additional overhead. It is however a requirement
for any Medicare DMEPOS supplier. This was established in the “HCFA Medicare DMEPOS supplier standards” that went into effect December 11, 2000. Standard #7 states “A supplier must maintain a physical facility on an appropriate site.”. I quote the standard in its’ entirety.
The complete list of standards is available on the internet at many locations, such as the following:
http://www.anthem.com/anthem/affiliates/adminastar/dmerc/files/New_Supplier_Standards_Condensed.pdf
http://www.hmeconsulting.com/Text/supplierstandards.pdf
If you do not care for Medicare patients then these rules do not apply to you. If you do see Medicare patients then you are in violation and clearly are not performing the proper administrative actions in your business and should be reported to HCFA for the appropriate fines and sanctions. Which one is it? Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Some more points to ponder
Ted A. Trower C.P.O.
A-S-C Orthotics & Prosthetics
Jackson, Michigan, USA
www.amputee.com
