Following initial certification of parenteral nutrition by Medicare, after what length of time is recertification required?

• A. 6 months
• B. 1 year
• C. 1 month
• D. Never

Answer: (A)

Medicare requires ongoing verification of continued medical necessity for home parenteral nutrition, with a formal re-evaluation at regular intervals after the initial certification. This check ensures PN remains essential and that the patient still cannot meet nutritional needs through other means. The standard timing is about half a year after the initial certification, and then at six‑month intervals going forward. Shorter intervals would be unnecessarily burdensome, while longer intervals could allow a lapse in coverage if the patient’s condition changes. Never recertifying would contradict the need for periodic verification in Medicare rules.