Author: 
“Why can’t you bill Medicare for this product?” The answer is not so straightforward, so we are going to try to clear up the confusion.
Before the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program, a Medicare beneficiary could go to any approved Medicare provider to purchase or rent their covered equipment and supplies. However, the government felt there were opportunities to cut program and beneficiary costs by asking providers to compete for their business.
DME providers had to submit a bid to Medicare for covered products such as hospital beds, wheelchairs and lift chairs. Medicare offered contracts only to the least expensive providers in the area to provide those products. Any provider who was not awarded a contract was no longer allowed to bill Medicare for those items.
Lake Surgical Supply was not awarded a contract for any of the competitive bidding categories. What this means for our customers is that although we can provide top quality items on the competitive bid list, Medicare will not cover those products purchased from us.
We are an approved Medicare provider and can bill Medicare directly for all non-competitive bidding items. We are accredited by ACHC and follow all of the insurance and financial rules to maintain our status as a Medicare provider. We continue to offer all Medicare products at a very competitive rate, provide free same or next day white glove delivery in most cases, and stand by our products if anything goes wrong.
To see the list of competitive bidding products and to find a provider who was awarded a competitive bidding contract, beneficiaries either need to call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit their website.
