Here’s what you need to know about eligibility requirements for pneumatic compression devices

Effective Jan. 1, 2017, patients will be required to participate in conservative therapy (e.g., use of an appropriate compression bandage system or compression garment and regular exercise) before they can be considered for a pneumatic compression device. This requirement applies to procedure codes E0650, E0651 and E0652, and depends on the patient’s condition.

If the patient shows improvement, the patient will continue with conservative therapy. For a detailed list of the conservative therapy required by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, click here.

If the patient no longer shows improvement with additional conservative therapy, then he or she will be eligible for a pneumatic compression device. A completed Certificate of Medical Necessity, which has been signed and dated by the treating physician, must be kept on file by the provider and made available upon request.

Providers may use one of the following Certificate of Medical Necessity forms for pneumatic compression pumps:

• CMS-846
• DME 04.04B

Or providers may use their own form if it includes all the same information as the forms listed above. Providers can keep the form in the parient file or attach it electronically to the claim.