Medicare Claims Processing Manual (Pub. 100-04), Ch. 24 § 50
Technical Requirements
50 - Technical Requirements
(Rev. 11427; Issued: 05-20-22; Effective: 01-01-23; Implementation: 01-03-23)
NOTE: CMS seeks to reduce burden and modernize processes to ensure a reduction in
improper payments and an increase in customer satisfaction. The Certificate of Medical
Necessity (CMN) form and DME Information Form (DIF) were originally required to
help document the medical necessity and other coverage criteria for selected Durable
Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) items. In the past, a
supplier received a signed CMN from the treating physician or created and signed a DIF
to submit with the claim. Due to improvements in claims processing and medical records
management, the information found on CMNs or DIFs is available either on the claim or
in the medical record and is redundant. Therefore, to reduce burden and increase
customer satisfaction, providers and suppliers no longer need to submit these forms for
services rendered after January 1, 2023.
• For claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2023 – providers and
suppliers no longer need to submit CMNs or DIFs with claims. Due to electronic
filing requirements, claims received with these forms attached will be rejected and
returned to the provider or supplier.
• For claims with dates of service prior to January 1, 2023 – processes will not
change and if the CMN or DIF is required, it will still need to be submitted with
the claim, or be on file with a previous claim.
This statement applies throughout the Program Integrity Manual wherever CMNs and
DIFs are mentioned.