Monday, April 14, 2014
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (April 8, 2014)—The Maryland-National Capital Homecare Association (MNCHA) applauds the passage of House Bill 1029 and Senate Bill 852—the bills that, when signed into law by the Governor, will remove the pharmacy licensure requirement for durable medical equipment (DME) providers in Maryland.
“This process has been an ongoing collaboration between MNCHA, numerous other state associations and the Maryland Board of Pharmacy for over a year. We are thrilled that the system worked, allowing us to correct the over-regulation of these providers here in Maryland,” said Ann Horton, MNCHA executive director.
Maryland DME providers are licensed by the state’s Office of Healthcare Quality as residential service agencies (RSA). By contrast, the dual license issued by the Maryland Board of Pharmacy is based on regulations that have not been updated to for DME providers.
“Durable medical equipment providers across the country are being systematically dismantled by the CMS competitive bidding program, claims audits and appeal delays. Streamlined licensure allows providers to focus on giving the highest quality equipment and service to their patients, instead of filling out state-mandated paperwork,” said MNCHA president, Gwen Turner.
MNCHA worked in partnership with the Physical Therapy Association of Maryland, the Orthotics and Prosthetics Association of Maryland, the Maryland Board of Pharmacy and numerous stakeholder groups to get the bills passed in the Maryland General Assembly. The law is scheduled to take effect June 1, 2014.
