Physical therapists (PTs) who are providers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) will see an expansion of the range devices that require prior authorization under Medicare, when the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) adds 12 more items to its list beginning July 22 of this year.

Seven of the 12 new codes are related to power mobility devices, with the additional 5 related to pressure-reducing support surfaces. The additions follow last year's introduction of 31 DMEPOS items that CMS moved to a nationwide preauthorization system. Prior to that, the preauthorization policies for those devices were limited to a demonstration project in 18 states.

CMS also added 4 new items to the master list of DMEPOS that are considered frequently subject to unnecessary use, including a particular back brace (L0650). CMS uses the master list to decide which items it will add to the prior authorization list.

CMS offers a webpage focused on the DMEPOS prior authorization program and has published a notice and list of the 12 codes to be added. A full list of DMEPOS requiring prior authorization is also available from CMS.