The 2014 calendar year will see the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) enforce full compliance to a rule which requires nurse practitioners (NPs) to obtain documentation from a physician that certifies a face-to-face encounter with patients. The rule stipulates this must be done while ordering certain Durable Medical Equipment (DME). The CMS will enforce the current law and they “expect full compliance with the DME face-to-face requirements”, which are on delay until a future date is formally established sometime this year.
Bill Proposes More Freedom for NPs
The rule adds to the burden for nurse practitioners who already follow several restrictions on how they are allowed to practice in their state. House Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) introduced H.R. 3833, which proposes allowing NPs to certify that the requirement with their patient has been met while ordering DME products. No other provider or physician will be involved if this legislation is passed.
If you are an NP and a supplier will not fill your DME order, make sure to provide the full CMS announcement along with all of the information required on the written order. Otherwise, you may need to contact government affairs to report the issue.
The legislation has merely been proposed and still needs to gain support in order to be passed to take full effect. For now, the rule is still delayed, but NPs everywhere should keep an ear out for when the CMS will begin enforcement.
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This nation requires the full services NPs provide for their patients. Americans want greater access to the services NPs provide. Support for H.R. 3833 is a crucial step in NPs gaining equality with physicians. Patients in today’s American health care system are just as likely to seek a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant for primary care needs as they would a physician. If you are a provider seeking career opportunities, contact a company that knows mid-level recruitment better than any other. Please call NP PA Recruiters at 214-351-3880 or email us at info@npparecruiters.com.
