How to Acquire a Durable Medical Equipment License

Durable medical equipment (DME) is provided by home healthcare agencies, physicians or DME companies. DME is generally defined as medical equipment that is not disposable, is medically necessary and appropriate for home use. Operating a DME supply company is sometimes a very lucrative business, but it is a business that is not set up on a whim. Compliance with several state and federal can complicate the process of obtaining a license.

Instructions

• 1

  Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). This number is used to serve as your business identity for tax purposes.

• 2

  Contact your state's department of health and obtain information regarding the state licensing application process and application. State laws vary greatly, so what is required in one state may not be required in another.

• 3

  Apply for a National Provider Identifier (NPI) from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This identification is a standard set by CMS and is required for reimbursement for products and services provided to patients.

• 4

  Review the 26 Supplier Standards from the Medicare Enrollment Application and complete the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) Medicare Enrollment Application. Once you are accepted as a DMEPOS supplier, you can bill Medicare for equipment provided to Medicare recipients.

• 5

  Contact a DME accreditation program. An accreditation from a CMS-approved compliance program is needed in order to be accepted to the DMEPOS program. These compliance companies ensure that DME suppliers are following the 26 Supplier Standards.

• 6

  Gather and submit the state application and prepare for inspection, if applicable. Pay any applicable application and inspection fees when you turn in your application.

• 7

  Prepare for compliance inspection. The compliance company will send you items that they will inspect, but the list is not all-inclusive. Upon completion of the compliance inspection, you will receive the results and become accredited.

• 8

  Submit DMEPOS application with all of the required documentation. Once your application is approved, you will receive your Medicare supplier number.