The American Association for Homecare is expanding its payer relations agenda and team with the addition of HME industry veteran David Chandler as its director of payer relations.
The move builds on the association’s payer relations successes, such as stopping and stemming CURES Act-related cuts to state Medicaid reimbursement for HME, and lobbying TRICARE to provide retroactive reimbursement release after CURES cuts, and limiting sole-source contracts.
With the addition of Chandler, who starts April 1, AAHomecare should provide more support for state and regional HME associations’ efforts to work with state legislators, Medicaid authorities, and managed care organizations to stop reimbursement cuts and maintain patient access. A statement from the association added Chandler should help to establish relationships with Medicare Advantage plans and work to represent HME interests with those plans.
“I am excited to have David join our team,” notes Laura Williard, vice president of payer relations for AAHomcarea. “I have been fortunate to have worked with him on several payer initiatives and first hand seen his expertise and passion as a true advocate of the HME industry.”
Chandler is currently director of reimbursement & government affairs for Liberty Medical Specialties, an HME provider with 10 locations in North Carolina and South Carolina. He has served as president of the Atlantic Coast Medical Equipment Services Association and a current role as Treasurer of the Group. He is also Chairman of the Medicare Jurisdiction C Advisory Council and a member of AAHomecare’s Regulatory Council and State Leaders Council. Chandler was elected to the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy/ DME Subcommittee in 2016.