On May 28 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a proposed rule recommending a prior authorization process for certain durable medical equipment. The rule identified a “master list” of DME items – including both continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy and respiratory assist devices (RAD) – which could be subject to a proposed prior authorization process.
The AASM strongly disagrees with this proposal, which threatens to cause significant delays in the delivery of critical therapy for Medicare patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). On July 8 the AASM submitted a comment letter discouraging CMS from implementing the proposed rule.
AASM members are encouraged to submit their own comments regarding the detrimental effect this rule could have on the Medicare population via the Federal Register website.
