The American Association for Homecare and the Northeast Medical Equipment Providers Association (NEMEP) have made headway in discussions with the N.Y. Department of Health regarding proposed rate reductions for incontinence products for the Empire State’s Medicaid population.
Originally, the Department published fee schedule changes that cut reimbursement for incontinence product by approximately 30 percent, and were slated to go into effect on Feb. 15. However, the Department delayed the rate reductions two weeks ago so that it could review cost study information provided to the agency by AAHomecare and NEMEP.
The cost study, developed and performed AAHomecare Senior Director of Payer Relations Laura Williard, evaluated providers’ cost of incontinence items as well as the operational costs associated with providing these products. NEMEP and AAHomecare presented the aggregate information to New York’s Department of Health along with comparisons of current and proposed rates with the average Medicaid allowables across the United, as well as with five states surrounding New York.
“Our collaboration with Laura and AAHomecare enabled NEMEP to provide the Department with solid data illustrating providers’ true costs in supplying these products,” said NEMEP Executive Director Kim Voelker
After reviewing that information, the Department opted for an average reduction of approximately 20 percent to go into effect on April 3.
AAHomecare noted in a public statement that it and NEMEP will provide additional information to the Department for further review in order to continue advocating for fair reimbursement rates.