Does Medicaid Cover Self-Measured Blood Pressure?
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Mar 03, 2023
Pennsylvania - Greater Pittsburgh Area
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According to the American Heart Association, high blood
pressure contributes to many significant health conditions, including heart
attack, heart failure, stroke, and kidney failure. In the United States, 121.5
million adults suffer from high blood pressure, also known as
hypertension.
While half of these individuals have improved their
conditions, others have uncontrolled blood pressure, which can harm their
health. Self-monitoring one’s blood pressure can help control this condition.
Depending on your state, Medicaid may cover part of the cost.
What Is Self-Measured Blood Pressure (SMBP)?
Medical care is an important part of blood pressure
management. Yet, you can also help your doctor treat you by monitoring and
recording your symptoms at home. This is called self-measured blood pressure
(SMBP). When combined with a doctor’s support, SMBP might improve your
health.
You can use a manual blood pressure cuff or an automated
blood pressure device to monitor your BP. With at-home measurements, you can
record your blood pressure levels over time. Your doctor can use this
information to help treat you.
The Benefits of Monitoring Blood Pressure at Home
Some evidence suggests that SMBP with clinical support may
be more effective than medical care alone.
- When
you measure your blood pressure at home, you can assess your condition
regularly. You don’t have to wait for a medical professional to evaluate
your BP. If your blood pressure becomes dangerously high, you can inform
your doctor and seek emergency treatment.
- By
keeping track of the fluctuations in your blood pressure at home, you can
give your doctor detailed information to help with your treatment. For
instance, your doctor can use the information to decide what kind of
medication and dosage to prescribe.
- Sometimes,
blood pressure levels change depending on the situation. SMBP can identify
forms of hypertension that present differently. At-home measurements can
reveal white-coat hypertension (when a patient’s BP is high at the
doctor’s office, but at a healthy level at home) and masked hypertension
(when BP readings appear normal in a doctor’s office but are high in other
settings, such as at home or work).
Why Might Medicaid Beneficiaries Need Coverage for SMPB?
Per Medicaid.gov, one-third of all Medicaid
beneficiaries have high blood pressure. With uncontrolled hypertension
disproportionally affecting low-income, non pregnant adults, SMBP coverage
and reimbursement through Medicaid can be beneficial for many.
Does Medicaid Cover Home Blood Pressure Monitoring?
Medicaid covers SMBP in certain states. Yet not all states
have coverage. Continue reading for more information.
What Does SMBP Medicaid Coverage Include?
Depending on your state, Medicaid’s coverage for
self-measured blood pressure could include the following:
- Provider
reimbursement for medical support
- BP
measurement devices for you to use at home (manual blood pressure cuffs or
automated blood pressure devices)
In most states with SMBP coverage, Medicaid takes care of
medical care as well as devices. Other states cover just one or the other. The
American Medical Association outlines what Medicaid provides in each
state.
Which States Cover Medical Support and BP Measurement
Devices?
The following states provide coverage to some extent for
both medical support and devices:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Michigan
- Nebraska
- New
Jersey
- New
Mexico
- North
Carolina
- North
Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Texas
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
These states only cover durable medical equipment (manual
blood pressure cuffs or automated blood pressure devices):
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Connecticut
- D.C.
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
(only covers manual blood pressure cuff)
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New
Hampshire
- New
York
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
The following states reimburse providers for supporting
patients with SMBP. However, Medicaid doesn’t pay for at-home devices.
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Montana
- Rhode
Island
Speak With an Attorney
If you have high blood pressure, self-measurement might help. Consult an attorney to learn more about whether you could be eligible for Medicaid coverage in your state.
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