CMS Strengthens Efforts To Fight Medicare Waste, Fraud And Abuse

"CMS today issued a final surety bond regulation, required by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, that makes certain suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) post a $50,000 surety bond. Existing suppliers must comply with this requirement by Oct. 2, 2009 while newly enrolling suppliers must meet this requirement by May 4, 2009. This requirement was due in part to the large number of improper and potentially fraudulent payments to medical equipment suppliers for furnishing medical equipment and devices to people with Medicare."