[SimplyLori]

We have been shipping via USPS more often lately because of price but I just discovered that their tracking numbers don't work after 6 months. I've read everything I can get my hands on and I only see Medicare asking for
a slip from the carrier listing each package, showing the delivery address and and ID# or tracking number - never requiring that the tracking number be actually "trackable".

How are you all complying with this?

[DMEisgoodfun]

We record the tracking # with the claim. If at a later date it needs to be
tracked UPS can do that for you. If you really wanted to be Cautious Carmen,
you could also run each tracking # on UPS site and print out the history -
although I think that's overkill

[SimplyLori]

Thanks for the reply! So your company isn't shipping with USPS (US Mail)? I know that with UPS we're fine - but with the mail like I said, the tracking numbers are basically ineffective after 6 months!

[DeeDee]

Our customer service tracks the items until we see proof of delivery posted. (They're tracking it anyways as we do not confirm the order into our billing system until we have some proof that the patient received the items) At that time, we save each of the documents into the individual patient's electronic record rather than wasting the paper printing them.

While it may be overkill, I would rather have the information available at any given time it may be requested.

[Sleeping410]

That's good advice DeeDee. We use both UPS and the USPS for delivery of supplies. Once the tracking number is confirmed delivered, the CSR saves an electronic image of that proof of delivery into the patients record. Time well spent if you ever face an audit.

[Tlitwiler]

We use FedEx almost exclusively for a fairly large volume of PAP, incont, and enteral deliveries. Their tracking numbers also start to expire after 6 months, however they offer a CD, delivered monthly, with all of the tracking and delivery information for each package. Saves us a lot of time on the front end, and makes the information very accessible in case of an audit.