Can a DME bill under Medicare code 94660??

CPT codes can be used by other health professionals (i.e. a respiratory therapist at a DME) who are working under a doctor's order. For example, an outpatient physical or occupational therapist bills under CPT codes.

I am convinced this is why healthcare is so expensive. My husband recently had back surgery and required a walker for use afterwards. The exact walker cost $75 on Amazon.com. The DME billed Blue Cross $269 and insurance allowed $180 for which our 80% is $35. It is totally ridiculous.

I'm a physician employed by a hospital and it appalls me at the redundancies we have to pay for because of government redundancies and setting of prices and policies. That walker cost my insurance more than the initial visit to the neurosurgeon for consultation. Most of this crap is unneeded regulation that does nothing to help patient care but to hamper patient care. We look at how much is being spent on Medicare and reform is a must. Unfortunately it will never really happen because of industry involvement and fear mongering meant to rile up the recipients.

My parents are on medicare and my mom is on CPAP. Based on the BCBS numbers, I estimate that Medicare spends over $1000 on my mom's cpap supplies per year. If you purchased them from CPAP.com the price would be half. I would LOVE to know what % of total medicare spending is on DME and the other cash cow home health (they just busted a 47 million dollar fraud scam in Dallas). I am convinced that reform in these areas will improve service to the patients and save me tax money.

Sorry for my rant of the day.

Jenn