Section 34-14C-2

Home Medical Equipment Services Providers Board.

(a) Within 90 days of August 1, 2000, the Governor shall appoint a minimum of nine persons to serve on the Home Medical Equipment Services Providers, such persons to include a majority who are representatives of the home medical equipment services industry, and at least one person from each of the following categories: A consumer of home medical equipment services, a physician, a representative from the acute-care hospital community, and a representative from the home health agency community. Those persons representing the Home Medical Equipment Services Provider industry shall be selected from a list submitted by the Alabama Durable Medical Equipment Association or its successor. Board members shall have no record of sanctions related to fraud under federal or state law. The membership of the board shall be inclusive and reflect the racial, gender, geographic, urban/rural, and economic diversity of the state.

(b) The members appointed to the board shall serve for terms of three to five years, with one-third of the board being replaced each year, beginning in year four. The terms may be renewed for successive three-year periods.

(c) Members of the board shall not be entitled to compensation for service, but shall be reimbursed for reasonable travel and meeting expenses, according to a budget developed and approved by the board.

(d) The board shall have the responsibility for creating, establishing, maintaining, and enforcing regulations governing the operation of home medical equipment services providers, including the qualifications of inspectors, the nature of inspections, and the process for appeals.

(e) Any vacancy on the board must be filled by the Governor within 60 days. If a vacancy occurs among those members who represent the home medical equipment services provider industry, the appointment shall be made from a list submitted by the Alabama Durable Medical Equipment Association or its successor.

(Act 2000-739, p. 1619, §2.)