Atlanta
By July 1, Georgia HME providers must employ certified personnel to supply custom rehab equipment under Medicaid.
According to Georgia's latest Medicaid provider manual, the state is accepting certification from RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering Society of North America), or an “accepted equivalent.” According to Patricia Ross, DME program manager for Georgia Medicaid, the state is also accepting the Certified Rehab Technology Supplier (CRTS) credential from NRRTS (National Registry of Rehab Technology Suppliers). Ross explained that the requirement applies to those selling custom rehab equipment, examples of which, including certain power and manual wheelchairs, are listed in the Medicaid provider manual available at www.ghp.georgia.gov. She added that a new draft of the rule, to include minor revisions, is expected by April.
Jason Rogers, president-elect of the Georgia Association of Medical Equipment Services (GAMES) and vice president of Athens, Ga.-based Care Medical, said that though the requirement is positive, the association is sponsoring certification classes to ensure providers' employees can become certified before the July deadline. He added that, particularly for rural Georgia providers, “we have to grow our own” certified personnel.
