Over the past two and a half years, AAHomecare’s payer relations efforts have helped stop or limit proposed Medicaid reimbursement cuts in dozens of states, limited the spread of sole-source and narrow network contract arrangements, and successfully lobbied TRICARE to provide retroactive relief for HME reimbursements based on the 2016 CURES bill.
The Association is looking to reinforce success in this arena by bringing on highly-qualified HME professional David Chandler as director of payer relations.
Chandler brings considerable experience to the position through multiple roles in sales, operations, reimbursement, and payer relations. He is currently Director of Reimbursement & Government Affairs for Liberty Medical Specialties, an HME supplier with ten locations in North Carolina and South Carolina.
His service to the HME community includes a term as President of the Atlantic Coast Medical Equipment Services Association (2014-15) and a current role as Treasurer of the Group. He is also Chairman of the Medicare Jurisdiction C Advisory Council and a member of AAHomecare’s Regulatory Council and State Leaders Council. Chandler was elected to the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy/ DME Subcommittee in 2016.
"I am excited to have David join our team," notes Laura Williard, vice president of payer relations for the Association. "I have been fortunate to have worked with him on several payer initiatives and first hand seen his expertise and passion as a true advocate of the HME industry."
Adding Chandler will help AAHomecare provide more support for leaders at our state and regional HME association partners in their engagement with state legislators, Medicaid authorities, and managed care organizations to defend against rate cuts and maintain broad patient access. His presence on the team will also allow the Association to begin to establish relationships and develop strategies for representing HME interests with Medicare Advantage plans.
Chandler will formally begin working with AAHomecare on April 1. You can see more about his background and excitement in taking on this new role in this note he shared with us.