Florida Providers Defeat State Threats

DORAL, Fla. — Florida HME providers are breathing easier
this week after managing to sidestep several state legislative
measures that, if allowed to pass, would have burdened providers
and created access problems for beneficiaries, according to the
Florida Alliance of
Home Care Services.

In a Thursday update, FAHCS said providers had been successful
in:

• Defeating a bid to authorize Medicaid to create a competitive
  bidding program for Medicaid waivers, specifically consumable
  supplies;
• Forestalling an attempt to amend a state appropriations bill
  that would have established competitive bidding for all Medicaid
  HME; and
• Eliminating language that would have mandated a statewide
  procurement bid by the Department of Health for prescriptive
  assistive devices over $2,500. (Prescriptive devices are defined as
  any complex rehab equipment that requires authorization, including
  wheelchairs, power chairs, stands and other assistive
  technology.)

Providers contacted every major elected official in the state to
discuss the measures, FAHCS officials said.

“They told us two weeks ago that we didn’t have much of a
chance, but by working together and working hard, we got
Tallahassee’s attention,” said FAHCS President Roger Ribas. “We
have it now and we will not let it go. This is good for everyone
and I am so thankful for everyone’s efforts.”

FAHCS specifically thanked other HME associations for their
help, including the American Association for Homecare, the
Accredited Medical Equipment Providers of America and the Indiana
state association, “all of which forwarded letters to Florida
officials against competitive bidding,” the update said.