Contact:
Joy Krieger, AAFA-STL
314-645-2422
jkrieger@aafastl.org
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon approved a $400,000 line item in the state’s budget to provide for the provision of home assessments for asthma trigger reduction and asthma education to Medicaid high-risk children with severe asthma. Missouri is one of a small number of states to pass legislation directly in response the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services rule change 42 CFR 440.130(c). This allows other practitioners, not just physicians and other licensed practitioners, to provide and be reimbursed for furnishing preventive services recommended by a physician or other licensed practitioner.
“It is estimated that Missouri will save $1,500 per patient, per year, through this measure,” said Joy Krieger, Executive Director for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, St. Louis Chapter. “We believe other expected outcomes to include decreased emergency room visits, decreased school absences and fewer work days missed by parents. It is a win for our children, our communities and our state’s health system.”
This measure was a key policy initiative of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, St. Louis Chapter’s Public Policy Committee. The Committee also successfully advocated for and aided passage of legislation in 2012 to allow schools throughout Missouri to stock asthma rescue medication. It is estimated that one in 10 children has asthma in the United States, and in some areas in Missouri, that number is as high as one in five. “AAFA Saint Louis would like to thank Governor Nixon, the Missouri legislature, the budget committees and Representative Sue Allen for their efforts and support,” said Krieger.
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