As a business providing durable medical equipment (DME), you’ve most likely already encountered the varied ways states choose to issue licenses. On the other hand, if you’re now considering starting a business of this kind or have already begun your journey toward creating a company that provides DME, it’s essential to understand the licensing requirements for your state and other states in which your business may operate.
Depending on the type of DME you plan to, or do, provide and where your business operates – you’ll most likely need to obtain a license from your state’s health department or other regulatory agency. While an exhaustive detailing of each state’s requirements is beyond the scope of this post, we at Medbill hope to offer insight into what’s commonly required and where to start looking to find out the specifics for the state or states in which you do business.
While navigating the state licensing requirements for DME providers is no easy task, it’s much easier with Medbill in your corner!
As we’ve already established, different states have different licensing requirements for DME providers. So, for example, you may need a license from the state medical board or a professional regulatory board in some states. In other states, you may need to register with the Department of Health and Human Services. And in still others, there is no specific licensing requirement for DME providers whatsoever.
Either way, the first step is to find out what requirements exist in your state. In our experience, one of the best places to start is by contacting your state medical board or department of health and human services.
Conveniently, certain states provide a website that includes general information on state licensure requirements and how to apply. In addition, if a licensure requirement exists, the state agency responsible for licensing will likely have a brochure or similar informational materials available.
One additional point to note is that in some states, DME providers are required to be registered rather than licensed. If you’re having difficulty obtaining information regarding DME licensure in your state, it may be helpful to begin by verifying that one exists in the first place.
Several pieces of information are usually required to be submitted to the state along with your business’s DME license application. These may include documents about the creation of your business and may vary depending on how your business is organized. Your business may also need to provide tax documents, proof that your business is accredited and insured, and even the fingerprints of your business’s owners and officers!
Additionally, if certain circumstances, such as an expansion of services into a neighboring state, arise – additional information may be required by the state into which the expansion occurs. One tip for DME businesses is: once you’ve compiled the required documents, keep them up to date and well organized.
Applications for DME licenses can typically take many weeks to review and approve and sometimes need to be renewed annually. Therefore, having your documents organized and up to date makes the process much more efficient in the long run.
We know that all of that information is a lot to take in, but you may not realize you’ve already done a lot to help yourself out. You found us. At Medbill, we have the experience, expertise, and knowledge to assist with the DME licensing needs of your business!
Please take a moment to contact us to find out how we can help streamline your path to obtain or renew your DME license and to receive a competitive quote for the full range of our services.