Medicare Program: Updates to the Master List of Items Potentially Subject to Face to Face Encounter and Written Order Prior to Delivery and/or Prior Authorization Requirements; etc.

Key Points

• 1Medicare is updating its list of medical items (like wheelchairs, oxygen equipment, and other supplies) that require a face-to-face doctor visit before a patient can get them
• 2Doctors must provide written orders for these items, and suppliers may need to get approval from Medicare before delivering them to patients
• 3The rule aims to prevent unnecessary equipment from being sent to patients who don't actually need it, which saves money and reduces waste
• 4Healthcare providers, medical equipment suppliers, and patients using Medicare will need to follow these updated requirements when ordering covered medical items
• 5These changes take effect on the dates specified in the regulation and replace previous Medicare guidance on what equipment requires prior authorization

Key Dates