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.