Upcoming Events

Federal law is clear: a DME supplier must make a reasonable effort to collect copayments. All (or virtually all) commercial insurers, including Medicare Advantage Plan, impose the same requirement. If a DME supplier routinely waives or reduces copayments, it can be held liable under the federal anti-kickback statute, federal beneficiary inducement statute, and federal False Claims Act. In fact, many federal criminal and civil cases brought against DME suppliers (often at the instigation of a whistleblower) are based, in whole or in part, on the failure to make a reasonable effort to collect copayments. In the same vein, insurers will terminate agreements with suppliers on the basis of not making a reasonable effort to collect copayments.

This program will (i) discuss what it means to “make a reasonable effort” to collect copayments; (ii) discuss how a supplier can implement a financial hardship policy that allows the supplier to waive/reduce a copayment on a patient-by-patient basis; (iii) point out that the existence of such a financial hardship policy cannot be advertised; (iv) discuss how a DME supplier can implement a patient assistance program; and (v) discuss how a supplier can access charities that may be in the position to assist patients in paying their copayments. 

You can also register via PDF registration form, please send to Tilly Gambill, tillyg@aahomecare.org. Online registration closes February 12, please reach out to Tilly Gambill for availablity.