The American Hospital Association wrote a letter of support yesterday for a bill allowing general supervision by a physician for many outpatient therapy services, according to an AHANews Now report.
The letter was addressed to Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.), who introduced the bill, H.R. 6376. The legislation would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to allow a default setting of general physician supervision, instead of direct supervision, for outpatient therapy services. The bill would also allow CMS to create an advisory panel to establish an exceptions process for more complex outpatient services.
The bill would apply to CMS' new rule requiring physician presence for the delivery of outpatient therapeutic services, including drug and blood infusions, pulmonary rehabilitation services and psychiatric services, which are performed by non-physician practitioners.
The legislation would create a special rule for critical access hospitals that recognizes their unique size and Medicare conditions of participation. The bill also would hold hospitals and CAHs harmless from civil or criminal action for failing to meet CMS current direct supervision policy for the period 2001 through 2011.
Read the AHA's letter to Rep. Earl Pomeroy regarding the bill.
Read more coverage about the AHA.
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- Teri Fontenot Named Chair-Elect to the AHA Board of Trustees
The letter was addressed to Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.), who introduced the bill, H.R. 6376. The legislation would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to allow a default setting of general physician supervision, instead of direct supervision, for outpatient therapy services. The bill would also allow CMS to create an advisory panel to establish an exceptions process for more complex outpatient services.
The bill would apply to CMS' new rule requiring physician presence for the delivery of outpatient therapeutic services, including drug and blood infusions, pulmonary rehabilitation services and psychiatric services, which are performed by non-physician practitioners.
The legislation would create a special rule for critical access hospitals that recognizes their unique size and Medicare conditions of participation. The bill also would hold hospitals and CAHs harmless from civil or criminal action for failing to meet CMS current direct supervision policy for the period 2001 through 2011.
Read the AHA's letter to Rep. Earl Pomeroy regarding the bill.
Read more coverage about the AHA.
- AHA Increases Lobbying Efforts After Reform Passes, Spends $4.2M in 2Q
- AHA Names New 2011 Board Members
- Teri Fontenot Named Chair-Elect to the AHA Board of Trustees