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H.R. 8871119th CongressIn markupLatest action May 21, 2026Decoded by AI · checked against the record
Official title: DME Scammer Prevention Act of 2026
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govThe plain-language version leads. The official text is always the reference.
HR 8871 cuts the Medicare DME billing window from one year to 90 days and requires electronic claims starting January 1, 2027.
55-second read · 4 questions answered below
HR 8871 requires suppliers of durable medical equipment to submit Medicare claims electronically beginning January 1, 2027, replacing paper filing. For most DME items, suppliers will have only 90 days after delivering equipment to submit a bill, down from up to a full calendar year. Items requiring a prior doctor visit, prior authorization, or billed on a monthly rental basis are exempt from the shorter deadline.
Companies and individuals who sell or rent durable medical equipment to Medicare patients are directly affected by both the electronic filing and shortened billing requirements. Medicare beneficiaries who depend on that equipment could be indirectly affected if suppliers have difficulty meeting the tighter deadlines.
The DME category has historically been a major target of Medicare fraud, and electronic claims are easier for Medicare systems to flag for suspicious patterns or double billing before payment is issued. The Government Accountability Office is required to report to Congress by 2030 on how effectively Medicare's screening technology is catching problematic claims under the new rules.
AI-drafted summary. Verify it against the official text before you act on it. Read the official bill on Congress.gov
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the President.
Latest action: — Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 19.