Chapter 14 Durable Medical Equipment (DME)

Durable Medical Equipment (DME) 14• Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from accredited institution• Alabama license in Physical Therapy• No financial or other affiliation with a vendor, manufacturer or manufacturer’srepresentative of ACDsA social worker must possess the following qualifications:• Bachelor’s degree from accredited institution• Alabama license in Social Work• No financial or other affiliation with a vendor, manufacturer or manufacturer’srepresentative of ACDsAn occupational therapist must possess the following qualifications:• Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from accredited institution• Alabama license in Occupational Therapy• No financial or other affiliation with a vendor, manufacturer or manufacturer’srepresentative of ACDsPrior Authorization ProcessACDs and services are available only through the Alabama Medicaid prior approvalprocess. Requests for authorization must be submitted to Medicaid for review.Documentation must support that the client is mentally, physically and emotionallycapable of operating/using an ACD. The request must include documentation regardingthe medical evaluation by the physician and recipient information.Medical examination by a physician is required to assess the need for an ACD toreplace or support the recipient’s capacity to communicate. The examination shouldcover:• Status of respiration• Hearing• Vision• Head control• Trunk stability• Arm movement• Ambulation• Seating/positioning• Ability to access the deviceThe evaluation must be conducted within 90 days of the request for an ACD.April 2005 14-15