The Unintentional Consequence As Medicare cuts reimbursements for home medical equipment companies like HealthMark, private insurance is sure to follow. The unintentional consequence is some patients will not be able to receive/ afford the equipment and supplies they so desperately need. The lax Medicare policies of the past allowed a physician to write an order for almost anything and a patient could get it. Now, the prescription is just the start; reams of necessary supporting documentation slow the process down and are borderline preventative. Once services are provided Medicare is quick to deny reimbursement for minor issues such as signature dates and improper completion of a form. The patient almost seem like an after thought. Home medical equipment companies are being forced to discontinue some services. HealthMark, after 18+ years, will no longer provide diabetic testing supplies. The reimbursement rate is lower than cost, coupled with 16
Healthy Horizons
constant threat of Medicare taking money back for services that were legitimately provided; we simply have no choice. In addition, private insurance is cutting their reimbursements and raising deductibles, keeping patients from getting equipment or supplies. It is now routine to see deductibles as high as $3,000, if not more. Sadly, these patients had no idea until they tried to use their insurance, forcing individuals to do without the necessary services. The “unintentional consequence� of all of this is patients not getting the services they need and the results can be catastrophic. A patient not getting oxygen or tube feeding formulas for home use, or CPAP and supplies when needed, will cause further harm and drive patients to emergency rooms or skilled nursing facilities such as hospitals or nursing homes. The Home Medical Equipment industry has been fighting these changes for years; what we really need is your help. Washington D.C. listens to their constituents;
HealthMark urges you to contact them, not just once, but every time you think about it, every time you pay a premium but are denied the services you should receive. Show your disapproval and anger at those responsible, Congress. Many are struggling to survive and stay in business or at least provide the services they once did. Fight for the locally-owned pharmacies and medical equipment providers or before you know it they will be gone.