Hyperalimentation services are provided to beneficiaries at their place of residence. “Place of residence” is defined as the beneficiary's own dwelling, an apartment, a relative's home or a boarding home. Hyperalimentation services in the beneficiary's place of residence may be covered only when the therapy is determined to be medically necessary for the patient and is prescribed by a physician.

Hospitalization is required to initiate parenteral and enteral, sole source nutrition.

Enteral (sole source) nutrition therapy must meet the criteria listed above and be the sole source of nutrition in order to be covered by Medicaid.

The request for prior authorization for therapy must be submitted on the form DMS-2615. View or print form DMS-2615 and instructions for completion. The prescribing physician must document the beneficiary's diagnosis and brief medical history that supports the medical necessity of the requested nutritional therapy services. The prescription must specify the frequency, the route, the product name, volume and duration of the requested nutritional therapy.

Documentation describing the beneficiary's or caregiver's training in catheter care; solution preparation and infusion technique to ensure the prescribed therapy can be provided safely and effectively in the beneficiary's place of residence must be available upon request. Hospitalization is required to initiate parenteral and enteral, sole source nutrition.

The Arkansas Medicaid Program does not cover enteral (sole source) nutrition therapy hyperalimentation services for patients residing in a long term care facility. Enteral (sole source) nutrition therapy services are included in theper diem amount paid to long term care facilities. Arkansas Medicaid does cover parenteral nutrition therapy services through the Hyperalimentation Program for long term care facility residents.