HB 161: Medicaid Durable Medical Equipment

• Authorizes the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services to require Medicaid recipients to purchase used or refurbished durable medical equipment instead of new equipment when certain conditions are met.

• Establishes four conditions that must be satisfied for requiring used or refurbished equipment: availability, lower cost than new equipment (including shipping), ability to withstand at least three years of use, and meeting the recipient's medical needs equally.

• Defines "durable medical equipment" as equipment that can withstand repeated use, serves a medical purpose, is not useful without illness or injury, and is appropriate for use in the home, school, or community.

• Effective immediately upon enactment.