in Medicare and Medicaid programs. In addition to rules outlined the National Supplier Clearinghouse, of division of CMS (centers for Medicare and Medicaid), all Medicare DME suppliers must obtain and maintain accreditation by one of many approved accrediting bodies. Once a patient or caregiver selects an appropriate HME / DMEPOS supplier, he/she presents the supplier with the prescription and patient's insurance information. HME / DMEPOS suppliers maintain an inventory of products and equipment, so fulfillment of the prescription is rapid, much like a Pharmacy. The HME / DMEPOS supplier is obligated to perform certain functions when providing home medical equipment. These include: Proper delivery and setup of the equipment Ensuring the home environment is suitable and safe for proper usage of the equipment Training the patient, family and caregivers on the proper usage and maintenance of the equipment Informing the patient and/or caregiver of their rights and responsibilities All HME / DMEPOS suppliers are required to comply with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to protect patients' confidentiality and records. Insurance In the United States Home medical equipment is typically covered by patient's healthcare insurance, including Medicare (Part B). In order to properly code home medical equipment for billing, the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System HCPCS is utilized. As of 2014, under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, providers of HME/DMEPOS will be required to become third-party accredited to standards regulated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in order to continue eligibility under Medicare Part B. This effort aims to standardize and improve the quality of service to patients provided by home medical equipment suppliers. See also Medical device Medical technology Medical equipment Loan closet Medtrade- the largest international trade fair for HME in the US References Medical equipment Medicare and Medicaid (United States)