Both parenteral and enteral (sole source) nutrition therapy services are covered under the Arkansas Medicaid Hyperalimentation Program.
AFMC performs prior authorization reviews for:
- Enteral nutrition
- Equipment and supplies for enteral (sole source) nutrition therapy
- Total parenteral nutrition
Please refer to Section II of the Arkansas Medicaid Hyperalimentation Manual.
Prior authorization
Requests for prior authorization of the above items must be submitted to AFMC on the Request for Prior Authorization and Prescription Form DMS-2615.
Consideration of prior authorization requests by AFMC requires correct completion of all fields on the request form. The documentation submitted with the prior authorization request must support the medical necessity of the requested nutritional therapy. In some cases, AFMC may request additional information (i.e., original prescription, records from the hospitalization initiating nutritional therapy, nutritional assessment to establish medical necessity for nutritional therapy, etc.).
Providers are encouraged to utilize the preferred method of submitting electronic requests through the web-based Arkansas Medicaid Healthcare Provider Portal. If you are not currently enrolled to submit electronic requests, please visit the link below or reach out to your provider representative for assistance.
Benefits of utilizing the Arkansas Medicaid Healthcare Provider Portal for electronic submissions are as follows:
- Reduces time and expense associated with paper submissions
- 24/7 access for providers to submit requests and review results
- Requests can be tracked from submission to completion.
- Providers can view decision results immediately upon review completion.
- FREE
- Secure and HIPAA compliant
- Records can be directly attached to the request.
Arkansas Medicaid Provider Portal
AFMC/MMIS Outreach Specialist Information Sheet
Prior authorization requests may also be submitted via hardcopy via USPS or carrier service.
For U.S. Mail:
AFMC
P.O. Box 180001
Fort Smith, AR 72918-0001
For FedEx, UPS, or other such carriers:
AFMC
5111 Rogers Avenue, Suite 476
Fort Smith, AR 72903
Preapprovals
When an eligible Medicaid client is discharged from the inpatient setting with the continuation of hyperalimentation services in the home, a provider may request a preapproval for hyperalimentation prior to the anticipated discharge date. The request for preapproval can be submitted through the Arkansas Medicaid Healthcare Provider Portal. After a preapproval has been submitted through the portal, the provider may call the AFMC Clinical Services Department at 479-649-8501, option 1 or email
When approved, a prior authorization number will be assigned and will be effective for 30 days. The provider must not bill for hyperalimentation services prior to the date of discharge or bill for services on the same dates of service as the inpatient stay.
If the client is not discharged within the 30 days, the preapproval will be void.
When continuation of the therapy is required past the initial 30-day preapproval, the provider must submit a recertification for prior authorization request for continuation of the therapy, with a prescription signed by the prescribing physician, prior to the end date of the pre-approval.
A preapproval of hyperalimentation services does not guarantee payment.
AFMC review process
A registered nurse Clinical Services Specialist initially screens the prior authorization requests. If the documentation submitted supports medical necessity, the Clinical Services Specialist may approve the prior authorization.
If the Clinical Services Specialist is unable to approve medical necessity of the requested service, the review is referred to a physician advisor for determination. AFMC utilizes physicians who are licensed in the state of Arkansas to review the prior authorization requests. The physician advisor uses his/her medical judgment in accordance with established Medicaid policies to review medical necessity of the requested equipment.
Review notifications
Upon completion of each prior authorization request, AFMC provides written notification of the review determination to the requesting provider and the Medicaid client.
Approval notifications – include each procedure code/modifiers and units approved along with the authorization number for billing
Denial notifications – include case-specific clinical rationale and detailed information about how to appeal the determination, including the time frame allowed for submission and the requirement to provide additional information to support the medical necessity of the service denied
Due process rights
If AFMC is unable to fully approve any requested service, all applicable parties are notified in writing of the review determination along with detailed information regarding their due process rights.
Reconsideration requests
The provider may request reconsideration of the AFMC decision within 35 calendar days of the date on the review notification letter. Requests must include a copy of the denial letter and additional documentation to substantiate the medical necessity of the requested services. Requests received after 35 calendar days of the denial date will not be accepted for reconsideration.
If the denial decision is reversed during the reconsideration review, an approval is forwarded to the provider and Medicaid client specifying the approved units and services. If the denial decision is upheld, the provider and the Medicaid client will be notified in writing of the review determination. Reconsideration is available only once per prior authorization request.
Reconsiderations can be submitted utilizing the same methods as the initial request; however, the preferred method is electronically through the Arkansas Medicaid Healthcare Provider Portal.
Appeal hearing requests
Medicaid clients may request an appeal of the AFMC decision through the Office of Appeals and Hearings. The appeal request sent to the Appeals and Hearings Section of DHS within 35 calendar days of the date on the denial letter.
Providers may request an appeal of the AFMC decision through the Arkansas Department of Health, Medicaid Provider Appeals Office, 4815 West Markham Street – Slot 31, Little Rock, AR 72205. Please refer to Section 190.000 of the Arkansas Medicaid Provider Manual for more information.
Contact us
If you have further questions on specific reviews, please email us at
