CMS Approves Rule Changes to Improve PA Practice

September 27, 2019

A final CMS rule, Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Regulatory Provisions to Promote Program Efficiency, Transparency, and Burden Reduction, released recently contains a number of PA-positive regulatory changes initiated by AAPA as part of CMS’ burden reduction efforts. These changes go into effect 60 days after publication of the rule. Relevant PA-specific changes include:

• Removal of the modifying word “Independent” from the term Licensed Independent Practitioner. The new term, Licensed Practitioner, “will remove uncertainty regarding these provisions and clearly demonstrates that Physician Assistants (PAs) are authorized to order restraint and seclusion . . .”
• The authority of PAs to document/record progress notes for psychiatric and medical problems in psychiatric hospitals for patients for whom the PA is responsible.

For additional information contact Michael Powe, AAPA’s VP of Reimbursement & Professional Advocacy at [email protected]

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CMS Rule