Jurisdiction B POE Advisory Group (POE AG) Meeting Minutes – February 25, 2026
Meeting Date and Time: February 25, 2026, 2:00 pm ET
Facilitator: Denise Winsock, JB POE Sr. Analyst
CGS Representatives: Elizabeth Daniels, Tausha Duncan
Advisory Group Members: Mindi Batiste, Tonia Burrell Pace, Missy Cross, Rose Schafhauser, Caryn Shelton, Kindra Selberg, Jera Sitton, Mary Ellen Spradlin, Melissa Tomaszewski, Cassie Wright
Agenda:
- Welcome & Introductions
- News & Updates
- Website Updates & myCGS
- MCE Surveys
- POE Educational Activities
- Feedback & Suggestions
- Open Discussion
- Upcoming Meeting Date: May 27, 2026
- Welcome & Introductions
Denise welcomed the group to the meeting and reviewed the primary role of the POE AG.
- News & Updates
Denise reviewed these articles and publications and asked for comments:
- New Modifier Requirements for Ventilators, Lymphedema Compression Treatment Items, and Pneumatic Compression Devices – Effective January 1, 2026
- Open Meeting Announcement – Power Mobility Devices and Wheelchair Options/Accessories Proposed Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs)
- Oxygen Added to Required Face-to-Face and Written Order Prior To Delivery List – Effective April 13, 2026
- Ostomy Supplies Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Nebulizer Policy Article Update – Required Modifiers – Revised
- The Winter 2026 JB Supplier Manual is now available
- Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) Expiration
- New Codes Added to CGS Connect®!
Mindi and Kindra suggested adding Ventilators to CGS Connect
- Effective April 13, 2026: New Codes Added to Required Prior Authorization
Caryn suggested including the percentage rates for the top denials of non‑affirmations, as well as the percentage of affirmations. She also asked whether staffing levels would support the anticipated increase in PCD prior authorization requests. Denise responded that CGS is adequately staffed and does not anticipate any issues meeting the 5–7-day response timeframe.
- Exemption Process for Prior Authorization of Certain DMEPOS Items
- Website & myCGS DME Web Portal Updates & Feedback
Denise reviewed the following updates to the myCGS portal:
- myCGS 10.5 (November 25, 2025) & 10.5.1 (December 12, 2025). These versions include the following updates:
- Redeterminations Status and Reopenings Status Screens now show more details about the status of a case.
- Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)/Hospital Screen now shows the Patient Status Code for each inpatient facility stay.
- myCGS 11.0 – Coming Soon!
- Denise reviewed myCGS 11 with new feature called eLetters, which makes it much easier to find and manage important Medicare letters.
- With eLetters, you will be able to:
- See all your ADR, Prior Authorization, and ADMC letters for your NPI/PTANs in one inbox—no need to search by beneficiary or claim. More letter types will be added later.
- View letters for both Jurisdiction B and C in the same place.
- Export your letter list to Excel, including key details like NPI/PTAN, DCN, CCN, and beneficiary name. You can also download each letter as a PDF.
- Receive email alerts when new letters are available and turn notifications on or off.
- Filter your inbox to show or hide letters by NPI/PTAN.
- myCGS 10.5 (November 25, 2025) & 10.5.1 (December 12, 2025). These versions include the following updates:
- MCE Surveys: How to increase participation?
A member said they encourage their staff to take MCE surveys.
-
POE Educational Activities
Denise led discussions on the following activities:
- Workshops:
- Spring 2026 Virtual Workshop – April 1st & 2nd
- Some members stated they will be attending
- Spring 2026 Virtual Workshop – April 1st & 2nd
- Collaborative Events/Articles:
- MAMES – May 1, 2026
- A/B-DME Collaborative webinar – March 18, 2026
- Standard Documentation Requirements
- DME CERT Task Force webinar – April 22, 2026
- Glucose Monitors
- Webinars
Denise highlighted the new webinar topics that will be offered and emphasized the importance of reaching all types of DMEPOS suppliers to ensure they receive the necessary education and billing guidance
- Prior Authorization – February 26th
- "Spotlight" Webinars
- Seat Lift Mechanisms – February 26th
- Continuous Passive Motion Devic (CPM) – April 22nd
- High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation Devices – To Be Announced
- Automatic External Defibrillators – To Be Announced
- Tools
- Updates to the Consolidated Billing Tool Based on Your Feedback!
- Watch our new myCGS® videos on YouTube!
- New! Coding Verification Lookup Tool
- New Fact Sheets!
- Workshops:
- Feedback & Suggestions/Open Discussion
MaryEllen, Tonia, and Missy discussed how the nebulizer revision related to the KX modifier requirement was communicated. They noted that the information was 'buried' within the LCD and that an educational article should have been published earlier. Denise informed the group that, moving forward, we will ensure that clarification is provided in a timely and transparent manner.
Missy suggested adding RAD back to the CGS Connect program.
- Upcoming meeting date: May 27, 2026
- Meeting Adjourned

