HME Advocates Urged to Work with States on ‘Essential Health Benefits’

The federal Department of Health and Human Services recently announced that states will have more flexibility to define the “essential health benefits” provisions of health care reform that establish health insurance exchanges in states. AAHomecare says this makes it important for HME stakeholders to work with state governments to ensure that home medical equipment and services are included as essential benefits. Comments about the announcement can be submitted to HHS by Jan. 21 by e-mail to EssentialHealthBenefits@cms.hhs.gov.