The Surety Group Agency is pleased to announce that if you are a Durable Medical Supplier and are in need of a surety bond, you do not have to be accredited.  The Surety Group Agency is currently offering DME bonds for companies that are not currently accredited.

If you have ever dealt with a bout of insomnia then you have seen the commercials for the motorized wheelchairs that, evidently, are perfect for visiting the Grand Canyon. As I’m not in a position to endorse any products, I won’t mention the exact name but, apparently, these wheelchairs are so fantastic you can use them to hike a mountain or participate in a high speed chase. The commercial even states that Medicare will finance this awesome piece of machinery.

Like most people glued to the television at 3am, I can probably be talked into just about anything. You tell me that this product is going to change my life, I’ll believe it. Everything looks better in the dark of night. But what happens to those poor souls who actually purchase these things only to find out it’s a big scam? Luckily, there are laws in place regarding the sale of durable medical equipment. So while you might not want to try your luck with the spray-on hair, rest assured you’ll get that wheelchair—especially if Medicare pays for it.

In October 2009, the Federal Government mandated that all Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Providers must post a surety bond to guarantee that they adhere to all rules and regulations set forth regarding the sale of durable medical equipment and Medicare/Medicaid billing. Since then, many states have followed in the Government’s footstep and are now requiring DME to post a bond to the state as well.

In fact, the State of Alabama has just passed a law that will require all DME providers to obtain a $50,000 AL DME Surety Bond in addition to the federal bond. Any DME provider based out of Alabama or who does business within the state of Alabama must have their bond in place by October 1, 2010.

The Surety Group Agency, LLC has a special program in place for the $50,000 AL DME Surety Bond. AL DME providers can get their bonds at deeply discounted rates in as little as 24 hours.

So the next time you are sleep deprived and thinking you might like a wheelchair to take you across the United States Forest Gump style, you won’t have to worry that it won’t live up to the hype…well maybe you do, but at least you’ll know they can’t take your money and run.

1. Do I need to get my DME bond or my accreditation first?
   • A lot of sureties will not post a bond until the accreditation is posted.
2. What does the new DME law mean when they say that they will only accept T-listed sureties?
   • The Treasury Department sends out twice a year The Department of Treasury's Listing of Approved Sureties.  The Surety Group Agency works with over 30 T-listed sureties.
3. How long will it take to get my DME bond approved?
   • Ordinarily, the process can be done within one business day or less.
4. There are sureties that are requiring me to furnish CPA financial statements on my business.  Do I have to?
   • It depends on your credit and financial net worth.  We are pleased to announce that we normally do not require CPA financial statements.
5. Do I have to join a purchasing group to enjoy a discounted bond rate?
   • No.  A number of associations and purchasing groups imply that you have to.  However, DME's with excellent credit can in fact enjoy a rate of approximately $200 per year.

 Learn more here.  Apply for bond here.