Re: Fw: Physician Supervision for Ob US
From: art fougner, md (evsono@pipeline.com)
Mon May 21 08:51:18 2001
no offense but do you really think govt officials give a *%*% about the
feelings of the medical community? one legislator in a lucid moment gave
me the straight poop - "You guys should form a union."
art
a
At Sun, 20 May 2001, James S. Smeltzer, MD wrote:
>
>>>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Franklin W. West" <f_west@compuserve.com>
>To: <soundadvice@listbox.com>
>Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2001 8:58 AM
>Subject: Re: Physician Supervision for Ob US
>
>> Jim,
>>
>> I suspect the original source of the problem was associated with formal
>> support for direct supervision of ultrasound procedures by the ACR and SRU
>> back in 1997 - 1998 (when the original rule was published). Given the
>> policy folks at HCFA have not been able to get this out the door for three
>> years, I further suspect that someone inside HCFA, but not in policy, has
>> been refusing to sign off on the Program Memorandum until recently.
>> Recognizing the recent 'pressure' to get the PM out the door that has been
>> placed on the HCFA policy folks by publication of the Phase One of the
>Stark
>> II final rule as well as looming congressional pressure, I would not be
>> surprised if some "horse trading" occurred, with the impact being the
>> maternal-fetal and a few other codes were 'cherry picked' in order to
>obtain
>> an approval.
>>
>> While boiling in oil seems appropriate :), the most important thing to be
>> done right now is to get the codes reclassified prior to the implemenation
>> date. SDMS, SVT and a coalition of other associations are working on this
>> (largely thanks to Laurinda Andrist's work on the ob codes). As far as
>> potential actions of any professional, I suggest (1) contacting your
>> professional societies to ensure they are involved and (2) contacting
>> elected representatives to express your point of view. Potentially, HCFA
>> can also be contacted to express concern. If you don't have time, I'm
>> certain that the professional societies would be happy to accept donations
>> given this one will cost both in terms of legal fees and meetings with
>HCFA
>> in Baltimore.
>>
>> Oil's too expensive anyway - although a great idea ... ;-)
>>
>> *************************************************
>> Franklin W. West
>> *************************************************
>> PVI
>> 18702 North Creek Parkway, Suite 212
>> Bothell, Washington 98011
>> 425.398.7774 (voice)
>> 425.486.8976 (fax)
>> f_west@compuserve.com
>> *************************************************
>>
>> *************************************************
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: owner-soundadvice-outgoing@admin.listbox.com
>> [mailto:owner-soundadvice-outgoing@admin.listbox.com]On Behalf Of James S.
>> Smeltzer, MD
>> Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2001 2:39 AM
>> To: soundadvice@listbox.com
>> Subject: Re: Physician Supervision for Ob US
>>
>> Franklin,
>>
>> Just who did these people consult with professionally? I am curious who
>> needs to be fried in hot oil. (I will supply the oil if you supply the
>wood.
>> Terry can provide the matches. We will have a good old fashioned weenie
>> roast.)
>>
>> ;^) Jim
>>
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "J.Tomko" <buddy@redrose.net>
>> To: <soundadvice@listbox.com>
>> Sent: Saturday, April 21, 2001 12:06 PM
>> Subject: Re: Physician Supervision for Ob US
>>
>> >
>> > >Dan wrote:
>> >
>> > >Yes I know the other 3rd parties often eventually follow HCFA's
>policies.
>> I
>> > >was not aware of the 13k OB US cases...interesting.
>> >
>> > Dan
>> >
>> > Do not forget HCFA (Medicare) is not for the 65 and above. IF a patient
>> is
>> > under medicare paid disability they would also fall into the guidelines.
>> I
>> > am just surprised at the low number (13k) ob cases on
>> > disability! Disability is not only job oriented injury but
>> > conditions...the blind...the hearing impaired...the paraplegic...end
>stage
>> > renal disease..... so on and so forth. My department head also inquired
>> > how many retired people are pregnant. We forget medicare is ageless.
>> >
>> > >Janet, RDMS
>> >
>>
--
art fougner, md
A series of 1000 cases begins with but a single anecdote.
