In June 2007, The Oregon Legislature approved a reduction of 16.9% in the State Medicaid (DMAP) fee schedule for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics and Orthotics (DMEPOS).
Care Medical & Rehabilitation Equipment, along with many other home medical equipment providers throughout the state, appealed to the legislature, the State Emergency Board Members and other stakeholders not to implement this reduction as it would affect many state Medicaid patient’s access to Home Medical Equipment. Our diligent efforts were unsuccessful and unfortunately this reduction became effective November 1, 2007.
DMAP realized that many Durable Medical Equipment and Rehab Equipment suppliers terminated new service orders for Medicare/DMAP and Open Card fee-for-services DMAP clients as a result of these reductions. In January 2008 the DMAP/DMEPOS Committee met to discuss a remedy to patients’ access to services.
The DME committee and the DMAP administration agreed to apply the 2008/2009 cost of living increases (COLI) approved by the Oregon legislature to offset the 16.9% reduction so that valuable DME services may be restored to Medicaid clients. The outcome of this negotiation resulted in the adjustment of a 4.5% discount from the 2006 Medicare Fee Schedule effective April1, 2008. Although this adjusted allocation is a step in the right direction, a 4.5% discount from the 2006 Medicare Fee Schedule continues to impact rehab services to our Medicare/Medicaid population. The Administrative staff of Care Medical & Rehabilitation Equipment and other DME/Rehab Equipment providers have appealed to the Director of Health and Human Services, state legislators and the state Emergency Board members to restore funding to the DME Industry to the pre-November 2007 reimbursement level (100% of the current Medicare allowable).
Care Medical & Rehabilitation Equipment’s administrative staff have met with state legislators including state Emergency Board members at our Portland branch location to demonstrate the labor intensive process of obtaining all necessary documentation required for prior authorization and payments. Legislators also received product demonstrations for complex power mobility products and respiratory services, equipment delivery and setup, accreditation and Medicare participation standards.
Care Medical & Rehabilitation Equipment resumed services to Medicare/Medicaid and DMAP Open Card beneficiaries April 1, 2008 for most services. Those services which continue to be impacted by the 4.5% reduction include mobile service and repair, bariatric equipment, limited selections of wheelchair seating and positioning products, parts for repairs, and power mobility products including Power Operated Vehicles (scooters).
Please contact your state legislators, DMAP, your caseworker and the Emergency Board Chairpersons today and voice your concerns regarding patient’s access to home medical equipment and supplies and request that they rescind the 4.5% reduction!
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