Alabama Medicaid Updates PAP Device Policies

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (July 14, 2022)—Last week, Alabama Medicaid announced that CPAP and BiPAP devices will be billed as a “straight purchase,” ending the rental period payment process for this equipment. The agency also announced the waiver of the compliance requirement for CPAP and BIPAP devices and updated allowable quantities for PAP supplies. The new measures go into effect Aug. 1, 2022.

David Chandler, AAHomecare senior director of payer relations, joined with the Alabama Durable Medical Equipment Association (ADMEA) leaders and the Alabama Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics in making the case for those policy changes in an early-June meeting with Alabama Medicaid officials. The group provided insights on how the ongoing supply chain issues for PAP devices were affecting patient access, particularly for equipment with remote monitoring capabilities.

“We appreciate the Alabama Medicaid agency’s collaborative approach to developing policies that allow home medical equipment (HME) providers to more effectively serve their beneficiaries,” said ADMEA chair Leigh Ann Matthews. “Kelli Littlejohn Newman, director of clinical services and support for the agency, has been instrumental in developing a partnership approach with our industry. The ADMEA Medicaid DME Advisory Committee’s quarterly meetings with Alabama Medicaid have ensured a strong line of communications between the agency and HME stakeholders.”

“ADMEA has done an exceptional job establishing credibility with Alabama Medicaid leaders and pediatric patient stakeholders,” noted Chandler. “Their efforts paved the way for very productive—and ultimately successful—discussions with the agency.”

Alabama Medicaid cited the national supply issue for PAP products as the driver of the policy changes and noted that the agency would re-evaluate the policies in the future. 

AAHomecare is working with HME association leaders in other states to seek similar relaxing of PAP compliance policy with Medicaid authorities and other payers, reinforcing the arguments in this letter on the issue developed for state association leaders to share with their contacts.
 
See Alabama Medicaid’s announcement of the purchase and compliance policy changes here.

—Via AAHomecare