By Michael Johnsen

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (Jan. 26) Senate Finance Committee chair Max Baucus, D-Mont., and ranking member Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, have sent a letter to Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius urging “administrative discretion” in the enforcement of the Medicare Part B durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies accreditation requirement for pharmacies.

"The senators recognize the DMEPOS accreditation requirement is onerous, expensive and duplicative for community pharmacies," stated Bruce Roberts, NCPA EVP and CEO, in response to the letter. "Sens. Baucus and Grassley are part of a large, bipartisan consensus in Congress supportive of exempting pharmacies. Such a provision was included in both the Senate and House healthcare-reform bills. Congress also overwhelmingly approved separate legislation to extend the deadline for accreditation from Oct. 1 of last year to Jan. 1 of this year in anticipation of Congress working its will in this matter," he noted.

“Efforts to find a solution continue, which is why the letter’s message remains critical to ensuring seniors don’t lose access to supplies that help improve their health,” he added.