The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on June 27 that it would allow providers and suppliers additional time to implement the protocols necessary for the new face-to-face encounter requirement for certain durable medical equipment (DME). CMS now indicates that it will start actively enforcing the new requirement on Oct. 1, a full three months after the original implementation date of July 1. 

Over the past few weeks, the AASM has provided members with detailed education on the implementation of this new regulation, which impacts the ordering of CPAP equipment.  Members are encouraged to implement protocols to comply fully with the requirement by the new Oct. 1 deadline.