OIG Report on DMEPOS Suppliers
The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) has issued a report entitled “Los Angeles County Suppliers’ Compliance with Medicare Standards: Results from Unannounced Visits,” which found that many suppliers inspected did not meet basic Medicare supplier standards (see ). While recognizing recent CMS steps to address vulnerabilities in the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) benefit, the OIG recommends more unannounced site visits, expanded background checks, increased prepayment review of DMEPOS claims, more frequent reenrollment of high-risk suppliers, and minimum hours of operation. In addition, the OIG endorsed supplier enrollment fees to finance inspections and background checks, along with legislative authority to impose temporary moratoriums on supplier enrollment in high-fraud areas.
