CMS-855S: DMEPOS Supplier Enrollment

The CMS-855S is the Medicare enrollment application for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (DMEPOS) suppliers. It’s more demanding than the CMS-855I or CMS-855B — DMEPOS enrollment includes requirements for physical storefronts, surety bonds, and accreditation that don’t apply to other provider types.

This page is for DMEPOS suppliers. If you’re a provider who orders or prescribes DMEPOS items for your patients (but doesn’t supply them directly), you need the CMS-855I or CMS-855O, not the CMS-855S.

Who needs the CMS-855S

You need the CMS-855S if you supply any of the following to Medicare beneficiaries:

• Durable medical equipment — power wheelchairs, hospital beds, walkers, nebulizers, CPAP/BIPAP machines, glucose monitors
• Prosthetics — limb prostheses
• Orthotics — orthotic devices (AFOs, KAFOs, spinal orthotics)
• Supplies — ostomy supplies, urological supplies, diabetic supplies, enteral nutrition equipment and supplies
• Parenteral and enteral nutrition (PEN) suppliers
• Hearing aids (limited Medicare coverage, but enrollment required when covered)
• Therapeutic shoes for diabetic patients

DMEPOS suppliers include: home medical equipment companies, pharmacy-based DME departments, prosthetics and orthotics practices, home infusion therapy companies, and mail-order suppliers.

Unique DMEPOS enrollment requirements

DMEPOS enrollment has requirements that don’t exist for other Medicare provider types:

1. Surety bond

All DMEPOS suppliers must obtain a surety bond of at least $50,000 per National Provider Identifier (NPI). If you have multiple locations operating under different NPIs, each requires a separate $50,000 bond.

The surety bond must:

• Be written by a surety company authorized to operate in the state
• Name CMS as the obligee
• Be in the specific CMS-required format
• Be filed with the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC), the MAC for DMEPOS

Bonds must be renewed annually. Bond lapses cause immediate billing suspension.

2. DMEPOS accreditation

Unless you qualify for an exemption (see below), DMEPOS suppliers must be accredited by a CMS-approved accrediting organization. Approved accreditors include:

• ACHC (Accreditation Commission for Health Care)
• CHAP (Community Health Accreditation Partner)
• The Joint Commission
• HQAA (Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation)
• BOC (Board of Certification/Accreditation)
• NABP (National Association of Boards of Pharmacy) — for pharmacy-based DME

Accreditation must be obtained before applying for Medicare enrollment. The accreditation process typically takes 3–6 months and must be completed first.

Accreditation exemptions:

• Physicians and NPPs who supply DMEPOS only to their own patients as an adjunct to professional services
• Physical and occupational therapists supplying therapeutic devices only to their own patients
• Certain state-licensed pharmacies that meet CMS criteria
• Prosthetists and orthotists licensed in states with recognized licensing requirements (varies by state)

3. Physical location requirements

DMEPOS suppliers must maintain a physical facility:

• Must be accessible during posted business hours
• Must have a designated space for storing DME
• Cannot be a P.O. Box, drop-shipping facility, or virtual office
• Home-based operations have specific additional requirements

CMS conducts site visits to verify physical locations. Failing a site visit results in enrollment denial.

Before you file

1. Obtain accreditation (unless exempt) — this comes first
2. Purchase surety bond — submit with your application
3. Secure physical location — must be open and operational
4. Assign NPI — Type 1 for individuals, Type 2 for organizations
5. Identify your supplier category — the CMS-855S has different sections for different DMEPOS types

Step-by-step: Filing

DMEPOS enrollment is processed by the National Supplier Clearinghouse (NSC), operated by Palmetto GBA — not your local MAC. All CMS-855S applications go to NSC regardless of your geography.

Step 1: Obtain your accreditation documentation Have your accreditation certificate and accreditation organization contact information ready.

Step 2: Obtain your surety bond Work with a surety company to obtain the bond in CMS’s required format. Your broker should be familiar with the Medicare DMEPOS bond requirements. Keep the original bond document.

Step 3: Complete the CMS-855S The CMS-855S has parallel sections to the CMS-855B (organization information, ownership, adverse legal history, locations), plus DMEPOS-specific sections:

• Product/supply category (which categories of DMEPOS you supply)
• Accreditation information (accreditor, accreditation number, expiration date)
• Supplier standards compliance attestation (you must meet all 30 DMEPOS supplier standards)

Step 4: Complete the DMEPOS Supplier Standards checklist CMS has 30 supplier standards (codified at 42 CFR 424.57). These cover: business hours, signage, written operating policies, delivery procedures, complaint resolution, patient instruction. You attest to meeting all 30.

Step 5: Compile and submit Submit to NSC (not your local MAC):

• Completed CMS-855S
• Surety bond
• Accreditation certificate
• State business license
• IRS EIN documentation
• Voided check or bank letter for EFT

DMEPOS enrollment is paper-based. There is no PECOS pathway for the CMS-855S.

⚠️ Risk flags

⚠️ Accreditation expiration. If your accreditation lapses, CMS will revoke your DMEPOS billing privileges without prior warning. Set calendar alerts for accreditation renewal 90 days before expiration.

⚠️ Surety bond lapse. Same as accreditation — a lapsed bond triggers billing suspension. Surety bonds typically renew annually. NSC must receive the renewal bond before the prior bond expires.

⚠️ Site visit failure. CMS performs site inspections for DMEPOS suppliers. Common failures: location not accessible during stated hours, no signage, inadequate storage, staff unable to demonstrate knowledge of supplier standards. Prepare your staff for site visits before applying.

⚠️ Off-the-shelf orthotics exclusion. Many off-the-shelf orthotic devices are not covered by Medicare or require specific documentation and fitting by a qualified professional. Enrolling as a DMEPOS supplier does not mean Medicare covers everything you sell. Verify coverage for each product category.

Common errors

Error: Application returned — accreditation not confirmed Cause: NSC couldn’t verify accreditation with the accrediting organization. Fix: Contact your accreditor to confirm they’re sharing information with NSC. Include the accreditor’s contact information in your application.

Error: Surety bond format rejected Cause: Bond isn’t in CMS’s required format. Fix: Use the exact bond format from the NSC website. Your surety company should be familiar with this — if they aren’t, find one that is.

Error: Site visit scheduled, location not ready Cause: NSC site visit conducted before location fully operational. Fix: Do not apply until your physical location is fully operational, staffed, and signage is posted.

Processing timeline

Plan 6–9 months from “start the accreditation process” to “approved to bill.”

After approval

• NSC issues your DMEPOS PTAN
• You can begin billing Medicare for covered DMEPOS categories
• Maintain accreditation and surety bond continuously
• Complete a site visit annually (NSC may conduct unannounced visits)

Related forms

• CMS-855I — if you’re a sole practitioner supplier who also provides professional services
• CMS-588 — EFT Authorization
• DME & DMEPOS Provider Hub

Questions about DMEPOS enrollment requirements? Ask Mae → Free Metolius Health audit →