Alabama Administrative Code
Title 560 - ALABAMA MEDICAID AGENCY
Chapter 560-X-1 - GENERAL
Section 560-X-1-.07 - Provider Rights And Responsibilities

(1) In accordance with federal law, Medicaid providers shall ensure that no person will, on the grounds of race, color, creed, national origin, age or handicap, be denied the benefits of, be excluded from participation in, or be subjected to discrimination under any program of services provided by the Agency.

(2) Compliance with Federal Civil Rights and Rehabilitation Acts is required of a providers' participating in the Alabama Medicaid Program.

(3) Providers have freedom of choice to accept or deny Medicaid payment for medically necessary services rendered during a particular visit. This is true for new or established patients. However, the provider (or their staff) must advise each patient prior to services being rendered when Medicaid payment will not be accepted, and the patient will be responsible for the bill. The fact that Medicaid payment will not be accepted must be recorded in the patient's medical record.

(4) Providers who agree to accept Medicaid payment must agree to do so for all medically necessary services rendered during a particular visit. For example, if pain management services are provided to Medicaid recipients during labor and delivery, e.g., epidurals, spinal anesthetic, these services are considered by Medicaid to be medically necessary when provided in accordance with accepted standards of medical care in the community. These services are covered by, and billable to Medicaid. Providers may not bill Medicaid recipients they have accepted as patients for covered labor and delivery related pain management services.

(5) Providers, including those under contract, must be aware of participation requirements that may be imposed due to managed care systems operating in the medical community. In those areas operating under a managed care system, services offered by providers may be limited to certain eligibility groups or certain geographic locations.

(6) Providers must not restrict, impede, or interfere with the delivery of services or care coordination benefits for any Medicaid recipient whether or not the Provider is providing such care.