Health New England is pleased to announce our partnership with Northwood, Inc., in the management of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and medical supplies (DMEPOS) for all Health New England members, beginning in the summer of 2018.

Under this new relationship, Northwood will manage a full range of services in order to administer Health New England’s DMEPOS benefit, including:

• Prior Authorization
• Claims Processing and Adjudication
• Member and Provider Services
• Data Reporting
• Provider Contracting, Credentialing and Management
• Provider Inquiries, Grievances and Appeals

Northwood will manage equipment and supplies, such as wheelchairs, oxygen and other kinds of respiratory equipment, nebulizers, prosthetics, orthotics, wigs, speech devices and other medical supplies (diabetic, ostomy, urological, incontinence and wound care). Some equipment and supplies will still be managed by Health New England.

Please note that Health New England members’ plan benefits stay the same, as described in the Covered Services list in the Member Handbook, Evidence of Coverage and Summary Plan Description. Members do not need to do anything. It is still the health care provider’s responsibility to prescribe, get authorization, and make any other necessary arrangements with Northwood or Health New England for medically necessary equipment and supplies.

Northwood may contact members, if necessary, to make sure they continue to receive medically necessary equipment and supplies without interruption. In some cases, Northwood may work with the member or health care provider to arrange for equipment or supply services with a different supplier, if needed. Health New England will continue to cover any equipment and supplies it has previously authorized through the date for which they were approved. After that date, the member’s provider will work with Northwood to get future authorizations for equipment and supplies managed by Northwood.

For more about Northwood, visit https://www.northwoodinc.com/.