Bill Would Exempt Community Pharmacists From CMS Durable Medical Equipment Accreditation Requirements

Reps. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Marion Berry (D-Ark.) recently introduced a bill (HR 616) that would exempt community pharmacists from CMS accreditation requirements to sell durable medical equipment to Medicare beneficiaries, CQ HealthBeat reports. According to the lawmakers, the requirements add "unnecessary bureaucratic costs and [prevent] many pharmacists from being able to continue to provide vital equipment and supplies to their patients."

Pharmacy groups, such as the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the American Pharmacists Association, support the legislation. John Gans, executive vice president and CEO of APA, said, "Without this legislation, patients, particularly in rural areas, may have difficulty obtaining necessary medical equipment and access to pharmacist counseling" (CQ HealthBeat, 1/26).