CMS Tightens the Reins on Equipment Accreditation

CMS proposes yearly accreditation for DMEPOS suppliers to heighten safety, quality, and fraud prevention

6 Nov 2025

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed a significant revision to how it oversees suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and related supplies. Announced on June 30, 2025, the measure would require these suppliers to renew their accreditation every year rather than every three. The agency said the shift is designed to improve patient safety, raise quality standards, and curb fraudulent billing practices.

Under the proposal, suppliers would face more frequent reviews, stricter documentation requirements, and continuous performance monitoring. While the plan could reinforce trust and accountability in a sector that supports millions of Medicare beneficiaries, it also introduces new administrative and financial pressures. Smaller suppliers, in particular, may struggle with the added costs of compliance staff, training, or technology upgrades to manage audits and reporting.

Industry response has been measured but largely supportive of the policy’s intent. “The intent behind this rule is positive; it pushes everyone to maintain high standards,” said a compliance executive at Ottobock, a prosthetics manufacturer. “But annual accreditation could be difficult to sustain for smaller suppliers without more support.” Analysts said the increased frequency of reviews may pose short-term challenges but could ultimately reward companies that emphasize transparency and quality control.

The proposal reflects CMS’s broader effort to modernize oversight of DMEPOS suppliers and align regulation with rapid advances in medical technology, including digital prosthetics and assistive devices. Automation and real-time monitoring tools are expected to play a larger role in helping suppliers meet compliance requirements efficiently.

Experts view the initiative as part of a broader shift in health care regulation toward continuous accountability and higher operational standards. While some caution that annual accreditation could discourage participation among smaller vendors, many agree it would promote greater consistency and reliability in patient care. As CMS reviews public feedback this summer, the agency faces a balancing act: reinforcing oversight without stifling smaller businesses. Whatever the outcome, the proposal signals a new era of ongoing scrutiny and elevated expectations for DMEPOS suppliers.