Medicare Will Require Face-to-Face Visits for Equipment
Starting October 2026, you will need a provider visit before receiving certain durable medical equipment.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Senior Health
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will require a face-to-face encounter and written order for 22 additional medical equipment codes starting October 28, 2026. This change affects beneficiaries seeking items like ventilators, wheelchairs, and oxygen equipment.
Why it matters
The policy update is designed to address high rates of improper payments and unnecessary equipment utilization identified by federal oversight. By ensuring a recent physician visit, the agency aims to verify the medical necessity of these items before delivery.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services added 22 HCPCS codes to the list of durable medical equipment requiring a prior-to-delivery face-to-face encounter. Practitioners must document that this encounter occurred within six months of the written order to comply with the new mandate.
The players
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
The federal agency that administers the Medicare program and oversees clinical standards for durable medical equipment.
The details
Under the new mandate, patients requiring specialized devices like air-fluidized beds or mobility aids must complete a clinical evaluation with their practitioner. The provider must then document the specific medical need for the device and verify that the encounter occurred within the mandatory six-month window before notifying the equipment supplier to proceed with the order.
Timeline
July 30, 2026: The federal update was published in the Register.
Oct. 28, 2026: The face-to-face and written order requirements take effect.
Health Landscape
This mandate represents a tightening of Medicare oversight for durable medical equipment, following the pattern of the DMEPOS competitive bidding program. It signals an increasing agency focus on curbing improper payments across categories ranging from orthotics to advanced respiratory devices.
If you anticipate needing durable medical equipment like oxygen or a wheelchair later in 2026, plan to schedule a checkup with your physician to discuss the new documentation requirements. It is worth discussing with your doctor how to ensure your clinical records meet the six-month verification rule.
The takeaway
Medicare is adding a stricter verification step for many specialized medical devices to ensure clinical necessity. Patients should track their visit dates with their physician to ensure they remain eligible for equipment orders after the October 2026 implementation date.
Further reading
Learn more about navigating your coverage by visiting the Senior Health section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by HME Business.
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Should federal regulators mandate stricter face-to-face requirements for Medicare-covered medical equipment to prevent fraud?
