Frequently Asked Questions

The guidance document references 42 CFR 414.202. The regulation defines “durable medical equipment” as equipment, furnished by a supplier or a home health agency that meets the following conditions:

• Can withstand repeated use
• Effective with respect to items classified as DME after January 1, 2012, has an expected life of at least three years
• Is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose
• Generally is not useful to an individual in the absence of an illness or injury
• Is appropriate for use in the home

FAQ ID:93511

Medicare payment amounts for durable medical equipment (DME) are available through CMS.gov (https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/DMEPOSFeeSched/DMEPOS-Fee-Schedule.html) and through DMECompetitiveBid.com, which is the Medicare website for the competitive bidding program. States may access the appropriate information through these resources, or upon request through MedicaidDME@cms.hhs.gov.

FAQ ID:93516

State Medicaid Director Letter #17-004 addressed this area by stating: “Reductions necessary to implement CMS federal Medicaid payment requirements (e.g., federal upper payment limits and financial participation limits), but only in circumstances under which the state is not exercising discretion as to how the requirement is implemented in rates. For example, if the federal statute or regulation imposes an aggregate upper payment limit that requires the state to reduce provider payments, the state should consider the impact of the payment reduction on access.” In addition, the long-standing policy of the Medicaid program has been that Medicare rates are sufficient to ensure access.

FAQ ID:93521

We acknowledge that there are differences between the Medicare and Medicaid populations, but nothing in the policy guidance or statute compels states to reduce the items that states provide to people with disabilities under the state plan. As noted above, the statute does not expressly compel states to reduce the payment rates for DME. The statute limits the amount of money that the federal government will pay (i.e., FFP) for the relevant DME in the aggregate as compared with the relevant DME provided in the Medicare program. States retain the flexibility to make payments at rates that best serve the needs of their Medicaid beneficiaries.

FAQ ID:93526

As we explained in the January 4, 2018 letter, only those items provided in the Medicaid program on a fee-for-service (FFS) basis are to be included in the aggregate expenditure calculation. DME reimbursed under a Medicaid managed care arrangement or a Medicaid competitive bidding contract are not subject to the FFP limitation. If a state is 90% managed care the state would only have to show compliance or a demonstration with the 10% of FFS utilization and expenditures for the relevant DME items.

FAQ ID:93531

So long as the MCOs are not paid on a fee-for-service (FFS) basis, MCOs are not covered under this statute or subject to the limit on FFP. Only the relevant DME items provided in FFS are included in this limit.

FAQ ID:93536

Only those items provided in the Medicaid program on a fee-for-service basis are to be included in the aggregate expenditure calculation. DME reimbursed under a Medicaid managed care arrangement or a Medicaid competitive bidding contract are not subject to the federal financial participation limitation.

FAQ ID:93541

If the HCBS waiver includes FFS payments for DME, the state’s expenditures for DME would be subject to the limit.

FAQ ID:93546

It depends on the individual state plan amendment, but if a state submitted a state plan amendment to cover the relevant DME at or below what Medicare would pay for the same items and that was effective January 1, 2018, then a state would be considered to have demonstrated compliance with the statute and be exempt from submitting a DME FFP limit demonstration. If the state does not currently use Medicare’s payment rates (or a lesser percentage thereof) to reimburse providers for DME, the state may submit a SPA to alter its DME reimbursement methodology to set rates at or below the applicable Medicare rates. If there are competitive bidding areas (CBAs) in the state as defined by Medicare, it may choose to either pay the competitive bidding single payment amount for DME in the applicable CBA of the state under the Medicare program, or could set the statewide plan rate at the lesser of the durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies fee schedule rate, including rural and non-rural areas as defined by Medicare, or the competitive bid single payment amount under the Medicare CBA for the item. States should be aware that if a SPA is submitted to align Medicaid payment rates to Medicare and is effective after January 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will require the submission of a demonstration for the year in which a SPA is submitted to ensure compliance with the statute for a full calendar year. Once payment rates are set at Medicare rates for a full calendar year, CMS will consider the state as being compliant with the statute through the state plan.

FAQ ID:93551

In general, public notice is required for any changes in statewide methods and standards for setting payment rates as described in 42 CFR 447.205. Public notice must be published one day prior to the effective date of the SPA. If there are specific questions about this policy, please contact the Medicaid durable medical equipment team by email at: MedicaidDME@cms.hhs.gov.

FAQ ID:93556