Wiki diabetic shoes/patient decesased

[ldoran]

We ordered custom diabetic shoes for a Medicare patient, however the patient passed away before the shoes could be dispensed.

Is there a way to be reimbursed for the cost of the shoes?

Linda

 

[gailgordon314]

When I worked in the DME field we used to bill Medicare for dm shoes/prosthetic devices etc even if the patient died.

We would use the date of death as the DOS.

I found this blurb to help you:

If the patient does not pick up the device because the patient changed his or her mind, does not like it or has died, you may still bill DMERC for the item. Indicate that the patient did not pick up the item. The “date of service” is the date the patient died or said he or she did not want the device or a date that you last tried to contact the patient. You will receive a payment that is based upon the hard cost of the item.

http://www.podiatrytoday.com/article/3467?page=2