Educating Payers on the Value of HME

WASHINGTON, DC – AAHomecare’s Payer Relations Council has been working on highlighting the value of home medical equipment and creating consistent messaging and tangible resources providers can use to speak with payers, Medicaid programs, and state legislators. At Medtrade last month, the Payer Relations team unveiled the new Value of HME Brochure, designed to promote the benefits of HME and its importance within the health care continuum.

This brochure:

• Describes customer satisfaction in care at home
• Standardizes the messaging around what a partnership with HME providers can do for payers
• Includes multiple embedded videos, statistics, and infographics describing:
  • Value of an established HME partnership
  • Reduced Cost
  • Improved Patient Outcomes
  • Enhanced Patient Satisfaction
  • Growing need for HME

Now is the time to reach out to payers you have individually negotiated contracts with. Help them understand the value you bring to the community and to their customers with this brochure.

Indiana HME Suppliers Gain Eligibility for ARPA Relief

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana HME suppliers are eligible for a grant equivalent to 8.1% of their qualified Medicaid billings, part of the relief made possible through funds targeted for home- and community-based services (HCBS) under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

The Great Lakes Association, AAHomecare, and NCART reached out to Medicaid authorities in Indiana (as well as to Michigan and Illinois) in June 2021 to highlight CMS guidance related to acceptable uses for ARPA funding and asked for significant relief for suppliers based on that guidance. Great Lakes Association leaders followed up over the intervening year-plus to continue to make their case for allocating funds for HME relief.

Indiana suppliers with at least $500 in Medicaid billings in 2021 and currently providing services to Medicaid beneficiaries should submit an online attestation here by Nov. 18.  Providers must submit one complete attestation Form for each Medicaid Provider ID. According to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s (FSSA) HCBS Enhanced FMAP Spending Plan page, distribution of funds is expected to take place before the end of January 2023.

FSSA has confirmed that the relief will be calculated based on both fee-for-service and managed care claims. Other resources from FSSA include an FAQ and related presentation slides.

“The work that Kam Yuricich and the Great Lakes Association has put into developing a strong working relationship with FSSA leaders has led to substantial relief for Indiana HME suppliers,” said Laura Williard, AAHomecare vice president of payer relations. “AAHomecare has devoted considerable effort to understanding the ARPA funding opportunities and supporting our state and regional association partners in advocating for a share of this relief.  We will continue to support leaders in other states as they work to secure similar results.”

“HME providers across the country deserve the recognition and financial relief for their vital role in keeping patients safe at home during the height of the pandemic,” adds Yuricich, Great Lakes executive director.  “The strain on staff and operations was difficult, and achieving ARPA funding relief has been a high priority for the association in all of our states. We’re grateful for the support of FSSA and Medicaid Director Allison Taylor for this Stabilization Grant opportunity for Indiana HME providers and we’re continuing efforts in Michigan and Illinois.”

Indiana is the third state to grant a share of ARPA-funded relief, joining Massachusetts and Ohio.