CMS Delays Implementation of ‘Qualified Provider’ Provisions
The “qualified provider” rules that were supposed to be implemented in all
states by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) starting on
July 1 will now only be implemented in states that have O&P licensure,
attendees at the O&P Policy Forum learned. The Policy Forum, a grassroots
initiative organized and led by the American Orthotic and Prosthetic
Association (AOPA) June 20-22, involved O&P professionals visiting
Congressmen and women to promote the O&P legislative perspective.
“This is contrary to earlier notices put out by the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) which indicated that the new rules would apply
nationwide,” stated AOPA. “This change is a disappointment to practitioners
who had looked forward to this implementation as a first step in ensuring
quality care for Medicare patients.”
These new rules will limit who can be paid for prosthetic and certain custom
orthotic services and to those suppliers who have designated themselves with
appropriate specialty codes when they became a Medicare provider, AOPA
explained. “While this change in implementation has not been officially
published [as of June 28], Herb Kuhn, director of the Center for Medicare
Management, assured O&P Policy Forum attendees that it would be announced
shortly,” AOPA said. The organization added, “We have also received
confirmation of this change from other sources inside CMS.”
As a avid and long time supporter of providing the much needed professional
legitimacy to O&P practitioners as licensed health care providers , I
applaud the CMS decision to restrict reimbursement to only licensed
practitioners and suppliers.
http://www.oandp.com/edge/issues/articles/NEWS_2005-06-28_02.asp
AOPA ..are you getting the message ? Tony Barr
