Gloves

If the physician’s order states that an MHCP member is particularly vulnerable to infection for reasons specific to the individual and requires gloves for cares, MHCP will cover the cost of the gloves used.

Non-sterile gloves are considered medically necessary for hygiene cares for MHCP members with a compromised immune system. If the physician’s order states that a member is particularly vulnerable to infection and requires gloves for specific cares, MHCP will cover the cost.

Yes. The person is vulnerable to a specific infection, and the gloves are used for cares reasonably prescribed to prevent that infection.

They can get gloves for cares that are reasonably related to the risk of infection. It would be a reasonable precaution to use gloves for oral hygiene to prevent pneumonia. It would not be a reasonable precaution to use gloves to trim toenails to prevent pneumonia.

Gloves are not covered for a person who lives in a group residential setting and who has no specific medical condition that causes vulnerability to infection. Many people live in group settings, including the group setting called “family.” An otherwise healthy person is not vulnerable to infection simply because they share their home with one or more people.

Yes. Non-sterile gloves are medically necessary for hygiene cares if the member has a diagnosed infection. A person with an active infection is assumed to be vulnerable to other infections. A person being treated for an active infection should minimize re-exposure to the germs.

Yes. These are medical procedures.

When you receive a physician’s order for gloves for wound care, the order should include the expected duration of need, but may not exceed 12 months.

If the physician’s order states that the member is vulnerable to infection and gloves are required for specific cares, MHCP will cover the cost. However, the order must be reasonably related to the risk to the member. For example, it would not be reasonable to order gloves because a caregiver has athlete’s foot.