October 1, 2021
Did you know that the Hemophilia SNF Access Act was passed this year by Congress? This critical law will improve access to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) for people with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders who rely on Medicare.
How does the Hemophilia SNF Access Act improve treatment access?
This new law changes the way that Medicare pays for bleeding disorders treatments. As of October 1, 2021, SNFs can now bill separately for hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorder treatments for their Medicare patients. Before this new law, few nursing homes wanted to take patients with inherited bleeding disorders because Medicare’s payments for clotting factor treatment did not really cover the costs. Now Medicare must pay SNFs enough to properly treat patients with inherited bleeding disorders. Stays can last up to 100 days under certain circumstances, like after a hospital stay. Skilled nursing facilities can either provide the bleeding disorder treatment(s) themselves or have a HTC or specialty pharmacy provide it.
- NHF Factsheet about implications of the law for patients and their families
- Link to Medicare factsheet about which products SNFs can bill for separately
- Link to full NHF article: “NHF Applauds the Implementation of the Hemophilia SNF Access Act”
For more information, or if you have any questions about the implementation of the law, please contact NHF’s Marla Feinstein, mfeinstein@hemophilia.org
If you’re in California and are experiencing any access to treatment issues with skilled nursing or other bleeding disorders treatments, contact HCC at info@hemophiliaca.org
Even thought this was passed two years ago, it still remains very difficult to find SNF that will accept a patient who is actively receiving factor concentrate products.
We are sorry to hear about the difficulties you are experiencing. If you are currently in need of assistance in accessing an SNF, please email HCC at info@hemophiliaca.org with specifics about your case and we will reach out to assist you.