On March 21, CMS’s Center for Program Integrity (CPI) host the second in a series of Special Open Door Forums (ODF) for physicians, other Medicare practitioners, and other stakeholders to discuss the implementation of a prior authorization process for power wheelchair codes K0856 and K0861.
The call follows CPI’s March 16 Special ODF also concerning the same subject.
CMS will launch the new prior authorization process for these codes in Illinois, Missouri, New York and West Virginia for items furnished on or after March 20. The agency will then take the process nationwide in July.
“CMS is committed to launching the DMEPOS Prior Authorization Program in an open and transparent manner that serves and protects patients and the health care providers that care for them,” an announcement from the CPI reads. “CMS has the opportunity to learn from patient and provider experience and welcomes feedback as a critical part of this process. We look forward to an ongoing dialogue to help us gather feedback and learn how the program can best meet patients’ needs.”
The ODF will run from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time on March 21. Participants can attend by dialing (800) 837-1935 and entering conference ID no. 85988828. TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the hearing impaired by dialing 711 or (800) 855-2880. A transcript and audio recording of the call will be posted to the Special Open Door Forum website at http://www.cms.gov/OpenDoorForums/05_ODF_SpecialODF.asp for downloading.