We know how hard it is for you as a Masshealth beneficiary to fight through the red tape and paperwork to get the products you are entitled to. The employees at Charm Medical work hard to ensure that you do, while treating you with dignity. We are in this together!
Proposed Legislation May Result in the Following:
- You will receive a different product from a new company
- You may have to change products to a limited choice
- Your service levels will decrease (delivery, phone calls, size changes, doctor interaction)
- Your personal information will be transferred to a new company
- You may need to work with more than one company to get all of your supplies
- Your new provider may be from out of state
- Providers like Charm may be forced to eliminate jobs or go out of business
The governor’s proposed budget changes how Masshealth contracts with suppliers and manufacturers.
PETITION
Dear Legislator,
As your constituent, I am writing to ask that you oppose the provision below in the governor’s proposed budget for fiscal year ending 2016, which changes the way that the Commonwealth contracts with manufacturers of equipment and supplies.
The impact of this legislation would be significant for Masshealth beneficiaries, who rely on suppliers to receive vital medical supplies, which allow these citizens to continue living at home, not in hospitals or nursing homes. This legislation would force suppliers to substitute inferior products, eliminate delivery routes, reduce insurance processing service, or go out of business entirely. These changes would ultimately cost the Commonwealth more money in terms of jobs and in the healthcare system if the medical needs of Masshealth recipients are not met at home.
The effects of this proposal will have a negative effect on Masshealth beneficiaries’ ability to obtain essential medical supplies and is unlikely to result in net savings for the Commonwealth.
I object to this provision and request that it be removed from the budget.
Outside Section 24 – Section 12 of chapter 118E of the General Laws, as amended by section 27 of chapter 35 of the acts of 2013, is hereby amended by striking out the second paragraph and inserting in place thereof the following paragraph: The division may enter into any types of contracts with providers and manufacturers of medical services, equipment and supplies as the division deems necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, including, but not limited to, selective contracts, volume purchase contracts, preferred provider contracts and managed care contracts. The division may negotiate the rate of reimbursement to the provider under any such contract, and any such negotiated rate shall not be subject to the provisions of sections 13 through 13F of chapter 118E.
Sincerely,
