By Kris Ravotti, RRT, RCP
Clinical Compliance Educator

CMS requires the National Providers Enrollment (NPE) agencies to conduct site visits as part of the process to validate a DMEPOS supplier’s Medicare enrollment.

NPEs will contract the site visits to an outside organization. An authorized site inspector will have photo identification and a signed letter on CMS letterhead authorizing the individual to conduct the visit.

Validation Site Visits

New providers will receive an initial validation visit as part of Medicare enrollment. Once a PTAN is received, providers will receive a revalidation site visit every three years. Site visits will also be completed with changes in ownership or changes in tax ID numbers. These site visits are unannounced and are in addition to and different from accreditation surveys. An accreditation survey cannot replace the validation site visit.

The site visit will focus on compliance with DMEPOS Supplier Standards. To determine compliance, the inspector will take pictures, ask to review business records (licenses, insurance, surety bonds), other pertinent documents, and/or beneficiary files. The site inspector should never take, copy, or photograph beneficiary files.

Resources Available

It is important for all DMEPOS suppliers to be prepared for these site visits. The NPEs can deny provider enrollments based on the results of these visits. CMS offers a lookup tool as a resource for suppliers that posts due dates for revalidations. Adding some company information to the lookup tool will let you know if your revalidation is due.

Palmetto GBA, the contractor for NPE West, has resources on their website to help suppliers prepare for their site visit. Please click below to access.