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DME supplier Medicare enrollment (CMS-855S), explained
Durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers enroll with Medicare differently from physicians and therapists. The supplier is the enrolling party, each physical location is its own enrollment, and Medicare checks the business itself: its accreditation, its bond, its location and its owners. This guide walks through the process as it stands in September 2026.
What has to be in place before you apply
- Accreditation from a CMS-approved accrediting organization, covering every location and every product category you will bill, unless you qualify for a professional exemption.
- A surety bond of $50,000 for each enrolling NPI, or more if CMS requires it after certain adverse actions.
- A compliant location that meets the Medicare supplier standards: accessible to the public and staffed during posted hours, with required signage, a complaint process and records kept on site.
- State licenses or permits for the products you supply, in each state where you have a location or ship to patients if that state requires it.
- Liability insurance, an organization NPI (Type 2) for each location, an EIN and a bank account for Medicare payments.
The CMS-855S application
DMEPOS suppliers apply on the CMS-855S, through PECOS or on paper, and the application is processed by the National Provider Enrollment contractors rather than the regional Medicare contractors that handle physicians. The application covers the business, each location, every owner with 5% or more, officers, directors and managing employees, the products supplied, accreditation, the bond and any adverse history. CMS charges an application fee ($750 in 2026) that the supplier pays.
Screening: fingerprints and the site visit
Newly enrolling DMEPOS suppliers are screened at the high risk level. That means fingerprint-based background checks for owners with 5% or more ownership and an unannounced site visit before approval. The inspector checks that the location is open during posted hours, staffed, and set up as the application describes. A closed door during posted hours is one of the most common reasons an application is denied.
Development requests
If anything is missing or inconsistent, the contractor sends a development request with a response deadline, usually 30 days. A missed deadline can end in rejection, and the supplier starts over. Most delays come from ownership details that do not match other records, bond or accreditation documents that do not match the application, and locations that are not ready for the visit.
Revalidation every three years
DMEPOS suppliers revalidate every three years. CMS publishes upcoming due dates about seven months ahead, and a revalidation is treated like a fresh review of the enrollment. A missed revalidation can deactivate Medicare billing privileges, and claims for that gap are not paid. Adding a location or changing ownership also requires an update to the enrollment.
The 2026 moratorium
In February 2026 CMS imposed a six-month moratorium on initial enrollments for several DMEPOS supplier types. It expired on August 27, 2026 and was not extended, so those supplier types can apply again.
Medicaid and commercial DME contracts
Medicare enrollment does not cover Medicaid or commercial plans. Each state Medicaid program enrolls DME suppliers separately, and Medicaid managed-care plans and commercial plans each have their own DME network, often with their own product and licensure requirements.
How PECS handles DME enrollment
We start from a DME-specific intake, check accreditation, bond, licensure and ownership against each other before anything is filed, prepare the CMS-855S, coordinate owner fingerprints, give you a site-visit readiness checklist, answer development requests, and follow the application through to approval. We watch your revalidation date from CMS's published list so it does not arrive by surprise.
Ready to start? Use the DME supplier intake, or see all prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is the DMEPOS enrollment moratorium over?
Yes. CMS paused initial enrollments for several supplier types in February 2026 and let the moratorium expire on August 27, 2026 without extending it. New applications for those supplier types are being accepted again.
Do I need accreditation before I apply?
Almost always. A DMEPOS supplier must be accredited by a CMS-approved accrediting organization before Medicare will enroll it, for each location and product category. Certain licensed professionals who supply items to their own patients can be exempt; confirm the exemption before paying for accreditation.
How much is the surety bond?
Medicare requires a $50,000 surety bond for each enrolling supplier NPI, and CMS can require a larger bond when there is a history of certain adverse legal actions. The bond has to be in place before enrollment.
How often do DME suppliers revalidate?
Every three years, rather than the five years most practitioners follow. CMS publishes upcoming due dates, and a missed revalidation can deactivate billing privileges until the enrollment is restored.
Will there be a site visit?
Expect one. Newly enrolling DMEPOS suppliers are screened at the high risk level, which includes an unannounced site visit to confirm the location meets the supplier standards, and fingerprint-based background checks for owners with 5% or more ownership.
What does PECS charge?
Medicare DMEPOS enrollment is $1,000 per location, half at engagement and half at approval. A revalidation or an added location is $500 per location. Medicaid DME enrollment is $500 per state and each commercial or managed-care plan application is $200. CMS fees, the bond and accreditation are paid by the supplier.
Answers cover PECS services, prices and process. For legal, tax or clinical questions please consult a professional.
By the PECS credentialing team, updated September 23, 2026.