1. Billing phrase to Medicare and Medicaid fiscal intermediaries to specify medical supplies, devices, and equipment (e.g., crutches, urinary catheters, ostomy supplies, surgical dressings) for reimbursement. 2. Purchased or rented items such as a walker, seat lift equipment, wheelchairs, a hospital bed, and other medically necessary equipment prescribed by a health care provider to be used in a patient’s home and which are covered by the Medicare program. DME is paid under both Medicare Part B and Part A for home health services. Also called home medical equipment .

Group or individual provider number used when submitting bills for specific medical supplies, devices, and equipment to the Medicare fiscal intermediary for reimbursement.

Four contracted regional carriers (private companies) that contract with Medicare to process and pay insurance claims for durable medical equipment such as orthotics, prosthetics, and supplies. Providers are required to obtain supplier numbers and disclose ownership before submitting claims. Also called contractor and durable medical equipment regional contractor (DMERC) .

Formal method of obtaining comments about regional medical review policy development and revision and to discuss and improve administrative policies within the durable medical equipment regional contractor’s discretion. These workgroups may consist of physicians, clinicians, Medicare beneficiaries, suppliers, and manufacturers who are able to give input.

Document that voluntarily designates a competent individual to make health care decisions if the patient becomes disabled or incapacitated and loses ability and cannot make decisions for treatment including the final decision about stopping treatment. Also see power of attorney . This type of advance directive also may be called a health care proxy or appointment of health care agent .

Length of time for each happening or occurrence of a medical problem or symptom.