Bill Medicare for equipment — guarantee the Trust Fund first.
The CMS bond behind a DMEPOS supplier number
Suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) must post a $50,000 surety bond to enroll in and bill Medicare. It guarantees repayment to CMS of unpaid claims, overpayments, and penalties, protecting the Medicare Trust Fund against fraudulent or abusive billing.
What the DMEPOS bond guarantees — and who needs it
Required under 42 CFR 424.57(d), the bond runs to CMS and guarantees repayment of unpaid claims, overpayments, and any civil monetary penalties or assessments against the supplier — the surety must pay within 30 days of sufficient evidence of the debt. It applies to DMEPOS suppliers enrolling, changing ownership, revalidating, or reenrolling. Failure to obtain or maintain it is grounds for denial or revocation of Medicare billing privileges.
Amount, per-NPI rule, and exceptions
The amount is at least $50,000 per assigned NPI — per NPI, not per Tax ID — so a supplier with multiple separately enrolled locations may owe multiple bonds, though a single bond can be written to cover several NPIs. CMS adds $50,000 per adverse legal action (such as a felony conviction or prior revocation) in the preceding 10 years. Key exceptions include physicians and non-physician practitioners furnishing DMEPOS only to their own patients, and certain PT/OT and licensed orthotic/prosthetic practices.
Bond amount
$50,000 per enrolled NPI — set by federal requirement and the same in every state. You pay an annual premium (a fraction of this amount), not the full sum.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Medicare DMEPOS bond?
At least $50,000 per enrolled NPI. A supplier with multiple separately enrolled locations may need multiple bonds (or one blanket bond covering several NPIs). Adverse legal history adds $50,000 per action.
Who is exempt from the DMEPOS bond?
Physicians and non-physician practitioners furnishing DMEPOS only to their own patients, certain solely-owned PT/OT practices, and certain licensed orthotic/prosthetic businesses, among others.
What happens if I don’t maintain the bond?
It’s grounds for denial or revocation of your Medicare billing privileges — you can’t bill Medicare for DMEPOS without an active bond on file.
How do I get a medicare dmepos bond through Cory Washington & Co.?
Request a quote or contact our team. We confirm your exact requirement, market your bond across multiple surety companies that compete for it, and handle the filing. Cory Washington & Co. LLC is licensed in all 50 states.
All surety bond descriptions on this website are provided by Cory Washington & Co. LLC strictly for general informational purposes. They are not intended to be, and should not be relied upon as, legal, financial, or bonding advice. Surety bonds are not insurance. Bond requirements — including amounts, obligees, and bond forms — are set by government authorities and other obligees and change over time; the information presented is general in nature and does not guarantee the availability, terms, conditions, or amount of any bond. Actual bond terms are governed by the bond form issued by the surety and the requirements of the obligee, and any bond remains subject to underwriting approval. Nothing on this website creates or implies an agent-client relationship, binds a surety, or issues a bond. Cory Washington & Co. LLC expressly disclaims any liability for actions taken, or not taken, based on the content provided here. For advice regarding your particular situation, please confirm current requirements with the relevant authority and consult directly with a licensed professional at Cory Washington & Co. LLC.