New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 8 - SOCIAL SERVICES
Chapter 324 - ADJUNCT SERVICES
Part 5 - VISION APPLIANCES, HEARING APPLIANCES, DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, OXYGEN, MEDICAL SUPPLIES, PROSTHETICS AND ORTHOTICS
Section 8.324.5.13 - UTILIZATION REVIEW AND PRIOR AUTHORIZATION

Universal Citation: 8 NM Admin Code 8.324.5.13

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024

All MAD services are subject to UR for medical necessity and program compliance. Reviews can be performed before services are furnished, after services are furnished, and before payment is made or after payment is made; see 8.302.5 NMAC. MAD makes available on its website and other websites UR instructions. It is the provider's responsibility to access these instructions or ask for hard copies to be provided, to understand the information provided, to comply with the requirements, and to obtain answers to questions not covered by these materials. Prior authorization does not guarantee that an individual is eligible for a MAD service.

A. Prior authorization: Certain procedures or services may require prior authorization from MAD or its designee. Services for which prior authorization was obtained remain subject to UR at any point in the payment process. When services are billed to and paid by a coordinated services contractor authorized by MAD, the provider must follow that contractor's instructions for the authorization of a service. Written requests for items not included in the categories listed or for a quantity greater than that covered by MAD in this rule may be submitted by the MAP eligible recipient's PCP, with a prior authorization request to MAD or its designee for consideration of medical necessity.

B. Eligibility determination: The prior authorization of a service does not guarantee that an individual is eligible for a MAD service. A provider must verify that an individual is eligible for a specific MAD service at the time the service is furnished and must determine if the MAP eligible recipient has other health insurance.

C. Reconsideration: A provider who disagrees with a prior authorization denial or another review decision may request a reconsideration; see 8.350.2 NMAC.

D. Prior authorization for specific services: The following services and procedures require prior authorization from MAD or its designee:

(1) hearing appliances:
(a) hearing aid dispensing, purchase, rental and replacement;

(b) hearing aid repairs for which the provider's billed charge exceeds $100;

(c) services for which prior authorization was obtained remain subject to review at any point in the payment process; and

(d) medical clearance: PCP medical approval is required on any request for prior authorization for hearing aids; the MAP eligible recipient's PCP must certify that her or she is a suitable candidate for hearing aids by signing the hearing aid evaluation and information MAD prior authorization form; documentation must be on the PCP's letterhead or prescription pad; this documentation must be submitted with the prior approval request; a MAP eligible recipient under 16 years of age, must be examined by a physician who is board certified in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and conditions of the ear for all hearing aid fittings.

(2) DME, oxygen and medical supplies: MAD covers certain medical supplies, nutritional products and DME provided to a MAP eligible recipient with prior authorization. Please refer to criteria in 8.301.3 NMACfor DME or medical supplies that are not covered. MAD covers the following benefits with prior authorization for a non-institutionalized MAP eligible recipient:
(a) enteral nutritional supplements and products for a MAP eligible recipient who must be tube fed oral nutritional supplements;

(b) oral nutritional support products prescribed by the MAP eligible recipient's PCP:
(i) on the basis of a specific medical indication for a MAP eligible recipient who has a defined need for which nutritional support is considered therapeutic, and for which regular food, blenderized food, or commercially available retail consumer nutritional supplements would not meet his or her medical needs;

(ii) when medically necessary due to inborn errors of metabolism;

(iii) medically necessary to correct or ameliorate physical illnesses or conditions in a MAP eligible recipient under 21 years of age; or

(iv) coverage does not include commercially available food alternatives, such as low or sodium-free foods, low or fat-free foods, low or cholesterol-free foods, low or sugar-free foods, low or high calorie foods for weight loss or weight gain, or alternative foods due to food allergies or intolerance;

(c) either disposable diapers or underpads prescribed for a MAP eligible recipient age three years and older who suffers from neurological or neuromuscular disorders or who has other diseases associated with incontinence is limited to either 200 diapers per month or 150 underpads per month;

(d) supports and positioning devices that are part of a DME system, such as seating inserts or lateral supports for a specialized wheelchair;

(e) protective devices, such as helmets and pads;

(f) bathtub rails and other rails for use in the bathroom;

(g) electronic monitoring devices, such as electronic sphygmomanometers, oxygen saturation, fetal or blood glucose monitors and pacemaker monitors;

(h) passive motion exercise equipment;

(i) decubitus care equipment;

(j) equipment to apply heat or cold;

(k) hospital bed and full length side rails;

(l) compressor air power sources for equipment that is not self-contained or cylinder driven;

(m) home suction pump and lymph edema pump;

(n) hydraulic patient lift;

(o) ultraviolet cabinet;

(p) traction equipment;

(q) prone stander and walker;

(r) trapeze bar or other patient-helpers that are attached to bed or freestanding;

(s) home hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis system and its replacement supplies or accessories;

(t) wheelchair and functional attachments to a wheelchair; a wheelchair is authorized every 60 months for a MAP eligible recipient 21 years and older; for a MAP eligible recipient under 21 years of age, a wheelchair can be authorized every 36 months; and earlier authorization is possible when dictated by his or her medical necessity;

(u) wheelchair tray;

(v) whirlpool bath designed for home use;

(w) intermittent or continuous positive pressure breathing equipment;

(x) manual or electronic augmentative and alternative communication device;

(y) truss and anatomical supports that require fitting or adjusting by trained individuals, including a JOBST hose;

(z) custom-fitted compression stockings; and

(aa) artificial larynx prosthesis.

(3) Prosthetics and orthotics: All prosthetic devices require prior authorization from MAD or its designee. The only prior authorization requirement exception is for a prosthetic limb attached immediately following a surgery for a traumatic injury while the MAP eligible recipient is a hospital inpatient. Prior authorization is required for orthotic devices for the foot or for shoes. Services for which prior authorization was obtained remain subject to UR at any point in the payment process.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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