MedPAC Wants to End 'Incident-to' Billing by APRNs, PAs

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Found at Medscape -free registration required.

MedPAC Wants to End 'Incident-to' Billing by APRNs, PAs

Kerry Dooley Young

June 24, 2019

Quote

In an annual report to Congress, released June 14, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recommended eliminating "incident-to" billing for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physician assistants (PAs). Instead, APRNs and PAs should consistently bill Medicare directly under their own national provider identifier for the services they provide, MedPAC said....

...Ending incident-to billing could reduce Medicare spending by $1 billion to $5 billion over the first 5 years following the implementation of this policy change, MedPAC said. First-year savings alone could be $50 million to $250 million, MedPAC said. In contrast, some medical practices "would experience a decline in revenues" because of the change, MedPAC said....

[Oldmahubbard]

This billing practice has always made me very uncomfortable

[Cmatt13, BSN, MSN]

Well, we all know the AMA has the money to squash any opinions that are logical and money saving for patients (and the government).

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

5 hours ago, Cmatt13 said:

Well, we all know the AMA has the money to squash any opinions that are logical and money saving for patients (and the government).

Less than 25% of physicians are members of the AMA. Their lobbying arm's coffers are decreased, spending about $18 million in 2018, compared to over $20.5 million spent in 2009 lobbying against the Affordable Care Act---which in 2019 they are now support! During the same time period ANA legislative PAC spent less that $ 450,000 in 2018, while in 2009 $1.5 million was spent on lobbying efforts.

Quote

Dissent roils the AMA, the nation's largest doctors group

The AMA still has more clout — and spends far more on lobbying — than the scores of medical specialty societies and splinter groups that sort doctors by political leanings. But it counts fewer than 25 percent of practicing physicians as members, down from 75 percent in the 1950s

During this time period, ANA and other nursing groups have heavily focused efforts on increasing nurses understanding of the political process and nursing advocacy: need to contact one's legislators regularly regarding healthcare issues/legislation so your voice will be heard.

Since their are MORE NURSES that physicians in the US, are voices are listened to by legislators. One can signup at RN Action to receive news and updates on advocacy opportunities, more information on the latest health policy developments in Washington, DC. With one click (after initial sign up), I can send email to legislators supporting health care issues i believe in --often editing suggested issue email to add my personal concern/patient experience.