WAIT, WHAT?
DME billing has its own language. “Check the DME PDAC”, “Make sure the diagnosis code is consistent with the HCPCS” (pronounced hick-picks), “Post all of the ERNs within three business days” … there is a secret code and rhythm to just getting past the watercooler talk each morning. For the new biller, or the seasoned manager looking for a refresher or training aid, we created this acronyms page as a quick and easy reference.
A-M
- ABN - Advance Beneficiary Notice (of Noncoverage)
- ACO - Accountable Care Organization
- ALJ - Administrative Law Judge
- AR - Accounts Receivable
- CB - Competitive Bidding
- CBA - Competitive Bidding Area
- CMN - Certificate of Medical Necessity
- CMS - Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- CSR - Customer Service Representative
- DME - Durable Medical Equipment; HME (alternate) - Home Medical Equipment
- DMEPOS - Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies
- ERA - Electronic Remittance Advice
- FTF - Face-to-Face
- HCPCS - Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System
- HICN - Health Insurance Claim Number
- ICE - In Case of Emergency
- LCD - Local Coverage Determination
- MAC - Medicare Administrative Contractor
- MBI - Medicare Beneficiary Identifier
- MSA - Metropolitan Service Area
N-Z
- NMO - National Mail Order
- NSC - National Supplier Clearinghouse
- PDAC - Pricing, Data Analysis and Coding (contractor)
- PDQ - Pretty Darn Quick
- PMD - Power Mobility Device
- PTAN - Provider Transaction Access Number
- QIC - Qualified Independent Contractor
- QMB - Qualified Medicare Beneficiary
- R1RB - Round 1 Rebid
- R1RC - Round 1 Recompete
- R2 - Round 2
- SPA - Single Payment Amount
- SPR - Standard Paper Remittance
- SSN - Social Security Number
- WTF - Ahem... What's This For?
