Medicare Program; Expanded Medicare Prior Authorization for Power Mobility Devices (PMDs) Demonstration

SUMMARY: This notice announces the expansion of the Medicare Prior Authorization for Power Mobility Devices (PMDs) Demonstration to 12 additional states.

DATES: This expanded demonstration begins on October 1, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Doris M. Jackson, (410) 786-4459.

Questions regarding the Medicare Prior Authorization for Power Mobility Device Demonstration should be sent to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 402(a)(1)(J) of the Social Security Amendments of 1967 (42 U.S.C. 1395b-1(a)(1)(J)), authorizes the Secretary to conduct demonstrations designed to develop or demonstrate improved methods for the investigation and prosecution of fraud in the provision of care or services provided under the Medicare program. On September 1, 2012, we implemented the Medicare Prior Authorization for Power Mobility Devices (PMDs) Demonstration that would operate for a period of 3 years (September 1, 2012 through August 31, 2015). The demonstration was initially implemented in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, and Texas. These states were selected for the demonstrations based upon their history of having high levels of improper payments and incidents of fraud related to PMDs. The objective of the demonstration is to develop improved methods for the investigation and prosecution of fraud in order to protect the Medicare Trust Fund from fraudulent actions and any resulting improper payments. This demonstration is providing the agency with valuable data through which the agency, working with its partners, can develop new avenues for combating the submission of fraudulent claims to the Medicare program for PMDs and improving methods for the investigation and prosecution of PMD fraud. We will share demonstration data within the agency, with our contractors, and with law enforcement partners for further analysis and investigation. We believe that data evidencing changes in physician ordering and supplier billing practices that coincide with this demonstration could provide investigators and law enforcement with important information for determining how and where to focus their investigations concerning fraud in the provision of PMDs. For instance, results from this demonstration could potentially indicate collaboration between ordering physicians and suppliers in submitting fraudulent claims for PMDs. This data could assist investigators and law enforcement in targeting their investigations in this area. Additionally, changes in billing practices that result from this demonstration could provide specific leads for investigators and law enforcement personnel. For instance, where a supplier that frequently submitted claims prior to the demonstration stops submitting claims during the demonstration, law enforcement may determine it prudent to investigate that supplier.

Data we will analyze will include the following:

* Suppliers who no longer bill or have a significant decrease in billing.

* Physicians/treating practitioners with a high volume of submissions.

* Codes that show a dramatic increase in use.

Based on preliminary data collected, spending per month on PMDs in the seven demonstration states decreased after September 2012, indicating that physicians ordering and supplier billing practices have changed as a result of the demonstration. In addition, spending per month on PMDs decreased in the non-demonstration states. National suppliers have adjusted their billing practices nationwide and appear to have increased compliance with our policies in all locations, not just their offices in the demonstration states.

II. Provisions of the Notice

Because of the initial success of the demonstration in reducing spending on PMDs, we are expanding the demonstration to 12 additional states (Pennsylvania, Ohio, Louisiana, Missouri, Washington, New Jersey, Maryland, Indiana, Kentucky, Georgia, Tennessee, and Arizona) which have high expenditures and improper payments for PMDs based on 2012 billing data. The 19 states selected for the demonstration, which include the 7 current and 12 additional states account for 71 percent of expenditures for PMDs in 2012. The remaining states and territories would be the control group for the demonstration.

Prior to the start of the expanded demonstration, contractors and the public will be notified about the expansion. This notice will serve as notification in addition to Web site postings and tweets.

CMS or its agents will continue to conduct outreach and education including webinars, in-state meetings, and other educational sessions in the additional states as appropriate. Updated information will be posted to the CMS Web site (http://go.cms.gov/PADemo). We will also work to limit the impact on Medicare beneficiaries by educating the Medicare beneficiaries about their protections. In addition, physicians, treating practitioners, and suppliers who have recently ordered a PMD for a beneficiary residing in a demonstration state will be notified via letter about the expanded demonstration prior to the start date of the demonstration.

Under the expanded demonstration, we will continue to follow the policies and procedures that are currently in place for the demonstration. In accordance with current demonstration policy, a request for prior authorization and all relevant documentation to support the medical necessity along with the written order for the covered item must be submitted when one of the following Healthcare Common Procedures Coding System (HCPCS) codes for a PMD is ordered:

* Group 1 Power Operated Vehicles (K0800 through K0802 and K0812).

* All standard power wheelchairs (K0813 through K0829).

* All Group 2 complex rehabilitative power wheelchairs (K0835 through K0843).

* All Group 3 complex rehabilitative power wheelchairs without power options (K0848 through K0855).

* Pediatric power wheelchairs (K0890 and K0891).

* Miscellaneous power wheelchairs (K0898).

Under this demonstration, a physician, treating practitioner or supplier may submit the prior authorization request and all relevant documentation to support Medicare coverage of the PMD item along with the written order for the covered item to their Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). The physician, treating practitioner or supplier who submits the request is referred to as the "submitter."

In order to be affirmed, the request for prior authorization must meet all applicable rules, policies, and National Coverage Determination (NCD)/Local Coverage Determination (LCD) requirements for PMD claims. The LCD documentation requirement mandates that the physician or treating practitioner shall complete the seven element order, face-to-face encounter, and whatever other clinical documentation that is necessary to determine medical necessity regardless of which entity is functioning as the submitter. The supplier completes the detailed product description (DPD) regardless of which entity is functioning as the submitter.

After receipt of all relevant documentation, CMS or its agents will make every effort to conduct a complex medical review and postmark the notification of their decision with the prior authorization number within 10 business days. Notification is provided to the physician/treating practitioner, supplier, and the Medicare beneficiary for the initial submission. If a subsequent prior authorization request is submitted after a non-affirmative decision on a prior authorization request, CMS or its agents will make every effort to conduct a review and postmark the notification of decision with the prior authorization number within 20 business days.

If the prior authorization request is not affirmed, and the claim is submitted by the supplier, the claim will be denied. Medicare beneficiaries may use existing appeal rights to contest claim denials. Suppliers must issue an Advance Beneficiary Notice to the beneficiary per CMS policy, prior to delivery of the item for the beneficiary to be held financially liable when a Medicare payment denial is expected for a PMD.

Submitters may also request expedited reviews in emergency situations where a practitioner indicates clearly, with supporting rationale, that the standard (routine) timeframe for a prior authorization decision (10 days) could seriously jeopardize the beneficiary's life or health. The expedited request must be accompanied by the required supporting documentation for this request to be considered complete thus commencing the 48-hour review. Inappropriate expedited requests may be downgraded to standard requests. After conducting an expedited review, CMS or its agents will communicate a decision for the prior authorization request to the submitter within 48 hours of the complete submission.

The following explains the various prior authorization scenarios:

* Scenario 1: A submitter sends a prior authorization request to the DME MAC with appropriate documentation and all relevant Medicare coverage and documentation requirements are met for the PMD. The DME MAC then sends an affirmative prior authorization decision to the physician or treating practitioner, supplier, and Medicare beneficiary. The supplier submits the claim to the DME MAC and the claim is linked to the prior authorization via the claims processing system. Provided all requirements in the applicable NCD/LCD are met, the claim is paid.

* Scenario 2: A submitter sends a prior authorization request, but all relevant Medicare coverage and documentation requirements are not met for the PMD. The DME MAC sends a non-affirmative prior authorization decision to the physician or treating practitioner, supplier, and Medicare beneficiary advising them that Medicare will not pay for the item. If the supplier delivers the PMD and submits a claim with a non-affirmative prior authorization decision, the DME MAC would deny the claim. The supplier and/or the Medicare beneficiary would then have the Medicare denial for secondary insurance purposes and would have full appeal rights. Existing liability provisions with respect to delivery of a valid Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) apply.

--This is a summary of a Federal Register article originally published on the page number listed below--

Notice.

Citation: "79 FR 44038"

Document Number: "CMS-6057-N"

Federal Register Page Number: "44038"

"Notices"