Yes. Medicare will only cover DME that has been ordered or prescribed by a physician. The order or prescription must be personally signed and dated by the patient’s treating physician [stamped signatures are not permitted unless the physician qualifies for an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) exclusion]. For POVs, the written, signed, and dated order must be furnished to the supplier prior to delivery of the device to the patient. In limited situations, DMERCs may accept a CMN as a substitute for a written order if it contains all the required elements of the order.
The physician’s order or prescription for a power wheelchair or POV must include:
• The patient’s name and full address;
• The physician’s signature;
• The date the physician signed the prescription (or order);
• A description of the item needed;
• A diagnosis supporting the medical necessity of the equipment; and
• A realistic estimate of the total length of time the equipment will be needed (in months or years).
