Finding PDAC-Verified Devices

What You Need to Know

Medicare's Pricing, Data Analysis, and Coding (PDAC) contractor has multiple responsibilities, one of which is verifying which HCPCS code(s) apply to certain prosthetic and orthotic products. For some L codes, Medicare requires PDAC verification as a requirement for payment. In those instances, a manufacturer's failure to obtain PDAC verification would result in Medicare claims for those products getting denied. Other times, manufacturers may voluntarily submit products for verification in order to provide health care providers clarity about which code(s) do or do not apply to those devices.

The PDAC maintains the Durable Medical Equipment Coding System (DMECS), an online database of verified products and their assigned HCPCS code(s). DMECS allows you to search by product name, manufacturer, or code.

What this Means for You

Sometimes payers demand proof that the product you are providing to your patient is PDAC-verified. The DMECS database provides the most up-to-date information about product verifications, showing the date that a product received verification and indicating whether that original decision is still in effect.

By bookmarking the DMECS webpage, you can quickly and easily gather information to support claims for prosthetic and orthotic devices. A simple screenshot of your search results will confirm the verification status of the product and can be submitted to payers in response to their requests.