Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Executive Office of Health and Human Services
Office of Medicaid
www.mass.gov/masshealth
	
	MassHealth
Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy  
  Equipment Provider Bulletin 14
	May 2012



	TO:	Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy Equipment Providers Participating in MassHealth

	FROM:	Julian J. Harris, M.D., Medicaid Director 

	RE:	Clarification of Policy for Members’ Home Use of Nebulizers


Background	This bulletin clarifies MassHealth’s policy about how oxygen and 
respiratory therapy equipment providers may deliver, set up, and instruct 
MassHealth members on how to use nebulizers in their home to ensure 
access for members who have an immediate need for home use of 
nebulizers. 

The Division of Health Care Finance and Policy (DHCFP) regulations at 
114.3 CMR 22.00 (Durable Medical Equipment, Oxygen and Respiratory 
Therapy Equipment) establish the MassHealth payment rate for the 
purchase and rental of oxygen and respiratory therapy equipment, 
including nebulizers (Service Code E0570), furnished to publicly aided 
individuals by MassHealth durable medical equipment (DME) and oxygen 
and respiratory therapy equipment (OXY) providers.

Pursuant to 114.4 CMR 22.03(4), the payment for the provision of 
nebulizers includes, but is not limited to, the following:
*	costs to deliver the device (24-hours/day);
*	set-up of the device; and
*	demonstration and instruction on how to safely use the device.

MassHealth DME and OXY providers must comply with these DHCFP 
regulations in addition to applicable MassHealth regulations.
	
	


	

Clarification on Nebulizer	Some members may require the immediate use of a nebulizer at home 
Home Deliveries	following a visit to a physician office,  clinic office, or acute inpatient 
hospital. To ensure immediate access for these members, MassHealth 
encourages DME and OXY providers to partner with freestanding and 
hospital-based physician offices, clinic offices, and acute inpatient 
hospitals by leaving a limited number of “loaner” (used) nebulizers and 
supplies at these settings. Physician offices, clinic offices, and acute 
inpatient hospitals are encouraged to send these loaner nebulizers home 
with the member on a temporary basis, and to forward required 
documentation to the DME or OXY provider to initiate the delivery, set-up, 
and instruction to the member (or caregiver, if applicable) by the DME or 
OXY provider in the member’s home on how to use the new machine.   
                                                                                                               
	At the time of home delivery, the DME or OXY provider must remove the 
“loaner” nebulizer from the member’s home, return it to the DME or OXY 
provider’s service location, clean it, and, if applicable, restock the 
physician office, clinic, or acute inpatient hospital with additional loaner 
nebulizers. 
 
OXY and DME providers may submit claims for payment for the provision 
of new nebulizers to MassHealth. The date of service on the claim must 
be the date on which the new nebulizer was delivered to the member’s 
home.
	

Questions	If you have any questions about the information in this bulletin, please 
contact MassHealth Customer Service at 1-800-841-2900, e-mail your 
inquiry to providersupport@mahealth.net, or fax your inquiry to 
617-988-8974.