State seeks savings from diabetic supplies
By HME News Staff
Updated Sun November 30, 2008
ALBANY, N.Y.- The governor has asked the New York State Department of Health to help close the state's budget cap, in part, by capturing $1.9 million in savings from discounts on diabetic supplies.
The department plans to do that by using manufacturer's rebates for glucose meters and test strips, said Carol Napierski, executive director of the New York State Medical Equipment Providers Association (NYMEP).
On Aug. 19, Gov. David Paterson and the state legislature announced plans to reduce Medicaid and healthcare spending by more than $500 million over a two-year period. The reduction is part of a more than $1 billion, two-year savings plan that is expected to reduce next year's budget deficit from $6.4 billion to $5.4 billion, according to the governor's office.
At press time, NYMEP was awaiting a meeting with the department to determine how the effort will unfold. Napierski said it was too early to tell how the program would affect providers.
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