Telemedicine for NPs-DME?

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Hey guys,

I've been looking for a telemedicine position for a while. I eventually would like to do it exclusively, but this is a contract for a year and the number of patients is variable, as supplementary income. I just got a call from a recruiter that only looks for telemed opportunities for me and she had one that pays $15 per patient (quick easy money) approving/ordering back braces. Has anyone heard of this? I found this article: Doctors: Medicare-funded program exposes seniors to harassment & potential fraud - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Is there any relation here? Has anyone done this?

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Specializes in primary care, holistic health, integrated medicine.

A provider is required to have a face to face encounter with a patient when prescribing DME. There is a LOT of money in DME and it is probably the most common area for fraud to occur. NPs are likely victims of abuse by companies like the one you are potentially dealing with.

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I already started working for this company. A telephone assessment doesn't count as face to face? I'm scared now, I've done a couple of assessments.

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Specializes in primary care, holistic health, integrated medicine.

I doubt it. You can look up the law/policy on the CMS website. For a while, an MD had to sign that they witnessed the NP or a PA, but now, it just has to be the NP or PA OR an MD/DO. If I were you, I would email the company and tell them that you are concerned about the legality of this and ask them for feedback. That way you have it on record.

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