CMS issued a proposal in the Federal Register that would increase Medicare patients' access to services by permitting nurse practitioners and physician assistants to provide home care.
The proposal would revise the Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly, lifting a ban on PAs and NPs that keeps them from providing in-home care to Medicare patients. The administration hopes expanding the provider base will make PACE "more operationally feasible and cost-effective, particularly in rural areas or areas where labor costs may be high," the proposed rule reads.
Previously, PACE specified interdisciplinary care teams for in-home care could include NPs and PAs, but only in addition to primary care physicians. Because CMS said it has not encountered any issues or concerns with the quality of care provided by non-physician primary care providers, it would be appropriate to allow NPs or PAs to stand in place of a PCP.
The proposed rule is open for comment. Read more here.
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