 |
|
 |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
| An Important Message for All NPs and PAs |
 |
by Barb Cole, MS, CRNP - September 2, 2010
|
I am currently disgusted. All of a sudden, with passage of the health care bill that no one took the time to read prior to voting in, medicare is coming down on medical equipment providers. This is a change in interpretation, as we did it before, with no problems I might add. No longer, at least in central Pennsylvania, will they take NP or PA signatures per recent decree. I am now deemed incompetent & dangerous to order chucks, depends, even albuterol for nebulizers, not to mention the nebulizers themselves. I'm guessing even TEDs must have a "physician" sign the script. I was told they were informed they will not be reimbursed if a lowly PA or NP does the order.
We have taken a decade worth of work & tossed it out the window... Their highly illuminated, "we need NP/PA's to make this work," etc was just BS apparently. The wording was left physician only, & at least here with my orders, they are trying to enforce it with stern threats to the pharmacies & equipment providers. Communication from both equipment provider & a separate pharmacy (for albuterol in a neb) stated that medicare had "clarifed" our ability to give orders, it was physician only, & that medicare was being very strict about this, withdrawing payment without a physician issuing the script. Does that sound like a wondrous new approach to health care to the rest of you? At this point, I'm disgusted enough to consider a career change. Seriously.
I'm ranting because I'm very angry at this point. Is this happening all over, or just here in central PA? If it is, what are we going to do about it? It smells of the same old politics to me.... Any thoughts out there?
RECOMMEND THIS ARTICLE
You must be logged in
to recommend articles
|
 |
|
|
| ACNP (South Carolina) |
on 16 Sep 2010 at 3:06 pm |
|
| This will sometimes occur where I practice, particularly with Physical therapy orders. I can write the initial order and they follow it, but some PT practices will still require the MD to sign the ongoing treatment plan. They tell me Medicare requires it, No, they don't, and about 90% of the PTs know that. It's just an incorrect interpretation of the law. |
|
| J. Davis (PHILA.,PA) |
on 09 Sep 2010 at 10:05 am |
|
| Has anyone noticed the complete lack of inclusive language for N.P's and P.A's with the new healthcare bill. We are invisible-more bureaucratic red tape to deal with-absolutely no mention of our existence with the ' new healthcare bill". |
|
| annmarie (Wynnewood, PA) |
on 09 Sep 2010 at 5:21 am |
|
I can relate to your frustrations, but really, health care reform has opened up many more doors for nursing and nurse practitioners than it has closed - truly. The Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners is making great headway in Harrisburg and Washington with their lobby group, and getting more autonomy for NPs - currently they are getting NPs the autonomy to sign off on 485s for home care orders, which has traditionally been the domain of physicians only for decades, even though NPs are very qualified to order home care for the elderly. There has been changes in the Medical language of the Medicare Medical Home language whereby NP are now considered 'primary care providers' In answer to your question, I , and my classmates, were required to actually read the health care bills -with all of its transitions - as a school assignment for class. Painful, but informative. I agree with you that most people, including the GOP, probably have not read it, and do not know what is in it.
I would recommend at least skimming it or accessing the main points of it on kaiserfamilyfoundation.org, which gives a good synopis of all the points, as well as public polls on the different parts of the plans It is a must know if you work in health care. |
|
| J. Miller (Columbia, S.C.) |
on 08 Sep 2010 at 9:51 pm |
|
| Well the democrats wanted change so here it starts. What is next, taking prescibing privileges away from us too? Yes, I am another disgusted NP. |
|
| Pamela Higdon (Pascagoula Ms.) |
on 08 Sep 2010 at 9:41 pm |
|
The only thing this Bill has promoted is barriors to NP practice! Well....maybe also decreased access to appropriate healthcare, especially for the disabled and elderly who use most of the durable equipment ordered.
I've yet to see a physician responsiblly, and with knowledge order these equipments without a nurse or NP's input. We are the ones that identify most patients with a need for durable medical equipment. We measure, fit and discuss all details.
We then write out the specifics, and the physician, who knows not what company, what size, what to measure nor what to evaluate takes our aquired compiled information without question. She/He writes an order according to the data provided to Him/Her ( or in most cases just signs the order once the NP or nurse has completed it).
I say send your note and my note to The Obama's along with a copy of the signed passed Bill. Put a copy of all on You Tube....and a copy to Oprah!
Pam |
|
| Illinois PA-C (St. Louis Metro) |
on 08 Sep 2010 at 8:47 pm |
|
| Interestingly enough a similar situation in Illinois a few months ago. A few local hospitals in the area said they would no longer accept orders for mammograms, US, etc when signed by a non-physician provider due to Medicare law changes. I requested the law they were referring to and after digging into the situation it was evident that the law was misinterpreted. The interpreter at the hospital who decided to implement the change never refered back to the original law that was quoted which provided for non-physician provider signatures. When this was gently explained to the hospital they acknowledged the error and nothing else has been said. More importantly I can order my mammograms, CXR's etc!! Look into what law they are quoting and make sure they can read it and interpret it correctly!! |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
|
