GAO STUDY OF STANDARDS FOR USE OF AND PAYMENT FOR ITEMS OF DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT.

SEC. 6139. GAO STUDY OF STANDARDS FOR USE OF AND PAYMENT FOR ITEMS OF DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT. (a) Study.—The Comptroller General shall conduct a study of the appropriate uses of items of durable medical equipment and of the appropriate criteria for making determinations of medical necessity under title XVIII of the Social Security Act for such items, with particular emphasis on items (including seat-lift chairs) that may be subject to abusive billing practices. Such study shall include an analysis of— (1) the appropriate use of forms in making medical necessity determinations for items of durable medical equipment under such title; and (2) procedures for identifying items of durable medical equipment that should no longer be covered under such title. (b) Use of Panel in Conducting Study.—The Comptroller General shall conduct such study with a panel convened by the Comptroller General consisting of— (1) specialists in the disciplines of orthopedic medicine, rehabilitation, arthritis, and geriatric medicine; (2) representatives of consumer organizations; and (3) representatives of carriers under the medicare program. (c) Report.—Not later than April 1, 1991, the Comptroller General shall submit a report to the Committees on Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate on the study conducted under subsection (a), and shall include in such report such recommendations as the Comptroller General deems appropriate.