Why doesn't AAPA make it so we can sign the Face to Face>>> What is their stance??

[ventana]

[h=1]CMS Issues Second Delay for DME Policy Change[/h]2013-09-10

Reacting to the serious concerns expressed by AAPA and other healthcare organizations and individuals, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a second and indefinite delay in the implementation of a regulation that would have required a physician signature when PAs (and NPs) ordered certain durable medical equipment (DME). Currently, PAs are able to order virtually all covered DME with no requirement for a physician signature.

The rule, mandated by the Affordable Care Act, targets specific DME items that cost more than $1,000, or are deemed by CMS to be particularly at risk for fraud, waste and abuse. In addition to requiring a face-to-face visit with the patient within six months of ordering DME, the regulation required that a physician document, by signature to the DME supplier, the fact that a face-to-face encounter with the Medicare beneficiary had occurred. The rule authorizes PAs to perform the face-to-face visit.

AAPA understands the intent of the regulation and fully supports reasonable efforts and activities that seek to reduce fraud and abuse in the Medicare program. However, it is essential that those efforts not harm beneficiary access to timely medical care or become overly burdensome for PAs providing medically necessary care to patients.

AAPA will continue to work with CMS, the Department of Health and Human Services and other stakeholders to change this rule.

For additional information contact Michael Powe, AAPA’s vice president of reimbursement and professional advocacy.

[GreatChecko]

I might be missing something, but I think they agree with you.

 

AAPA understands the intent of the regulation and fully supports reasonable efforts and activities that seek to reduce fraud and abuse in the Medicare program. However, it is essential that those efforts not harm beneficiary access to timely medical care or become overly burdensome for PAs providing medically necessary care to patients.

AAPA will continue to work with CMS, the Department of Health and Human Services and other stakeholders to change this rule.

[ventana]

they are trying to get the rule dropped

 

I say accept the rule and allow PAs to sign it.... this would be better as it puts on on even ground with the docs

[GreatChecko]

They seem to imply that they don't want to have the physician cosign and let the PA do it all. The first paragraph leads me to believe that this is the way it is right now.

 

But yes, it's pretty vague. Have you emailed Mr. Powe?