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• Gain Controlled Substance Schedule II privileges
• Remove Supervising Physician Ratio
• Add Emergency Disaster Language
• Redefine PA Advisory Committee.

• Communicate to Current Members Regarding Activities
• Seek New Membership for IAPA Less Than 400 of the 1900 PAs in Illinois as Members

• Educate Other Organizations as to the "role of a PA."
• Update the Website
• Print New Display Panels
• Provide a New Brochure for Members to Give to Patients About "What is a PA?"

It is my sincere privilege to announce the results of the IAPA Election for 2009. 
Below are members newly elected to the IAPA Board of Directors.  Congratulations! 

MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT ISSUES

Preview the AAPA presentation of Medicare Reimbursement at:  http://www.aapa.org/sparks/fast/menu.html

1)       Does the supervising physician need to be on site in order for the hospital to bill under the physician's name?
In hospitals, billing under the physician when both the PA and physician deliver care to the same patient on the same day does not require that the physician be on site when the PA delivers his/her portion of care.  Medicare does require that the physician personally perform some portion of the evaluation and management service (face-to-face with the patient) during that calendar day.  This is known as a shared visit.  However, if the physician never treats the patient on that calendar day then the PA’s services can only be reimbursed at 85%.  Procedures and consultations can’t be billed as a shared visit.  That same policy does not really work in the office setting.
 
2)       Does the supervising physician need to sign each chart for Medicare patients?
Medicare generally has no requirement that the physician ever co-sign a PA’s chart.  State law or the policies of hospitals may have that requirement, but not Medicare.  Medicare’s Condition of Participation do require that a physician co-sign a PA’s chart when the PA has performed a hospital admission H&P or a pre-surgical H&P.
 
3)       What's the new rule for PAs to see a patient with a new condition?
PAs can always see and treat new patients in the office or hospital as long as the claim is submitted under the PA’s name and Medicare provider number (paid at 85%). If the office is trying to bill Medicare under the physician’s name at 100% (“incident to”) then PA’s can’t treat new patients.

4)       Shouldn't a PA have his own UPIN number and bill under their own UPIN number?
Every PA should have a Medicare PIN.  The UPIN is issued after the PIN and is not used for day-to –day billing.  The PIN is used for billing.  A PA in a pediactric practice could argue that there is no need to get a PIN.  They should understand that not every patient covered by Medicare is elderly.  Younger patients with kidney disease and other conditions can also be covered by Medicare.  To apply, contact your area Medicare Services Office and ask for form CMS855.
   

PROSPECTIVE PA STUDENTS

If you are a prospective PA student you will be interested to know that we now have a pre-PA membership category. Membership dues are $10.00 and you will make a big impression on your PA interviews when they find out your are already involved in the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants. Click here to print out a form for your membership and get involved in your profession!

WHAT CAN I DO TO AID THE IAPA LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS?

• Pay your dues to help IAPA pay for the legislative efforts.
  
• Ask if all PAs in your practice are members of the IAPA.
  
• Your legislators need to be aware of the importance of knowing what the PA Profession is. Please call, email, or write a letter to your state legislator to inform them about PAs roles in healthcare.
  

Click here to find your local legislator.