Long Term Care Division

1. Long Term Care Division Alabama Medicaid Agency Long Term Care Division Outreach and Education Unit February 2004

2. P R E S E N T S An Overview Of Durable Medical Equipment

3. Durable Medical Equipment

4. Durable Medical Equipment • Supplies, Appliances, and Durable Medical Equipment (DME) are mandatory benefits under the Home Health Program. • Medicaid recipients do not have to receive Home Health Services to qualify for DME, but all items must be medically necessary and suitable for use in the home.

5. Durable Medical Equipment • During FY 2002, over 752 Medicaid DME providers throughout the state furnished services at a cost of approximately $21 million.

6. Non-Covered Services • There is no coverage under the Medicaid Home Health Care plan for visits by paramedical personnel, physical therapists, speech therapist, occupational therapist, and inhalation therapist. • Sitter service, private duty nursing service, medical social workers and dietitians are not covered by Medicaid.

7. Non-Covered Services…continued • Supervisory visits made by a professional registered nurse to evaluate appropriateness of services being rendered to a patient by an LPN, aide, or orderly and considered as administrative cost to the agency and may not be billed as skilled nursing services.

8. Additional Information If you have further questions regarding Alabama Medicaid Agency Long Term Care Programs, please contact: Wanda Davis, Assistant Director, Long Term Care Division, 334-242-5018 Email: wdavis@medicaid.state.al.us