There is a provision in the Senate version (S.1) of the Medicare drug benefit legislation which would make orientation & mobility specialist, low vision therapy and rehabilitation teacher (Individuals who have traditionally provided training to the blind, but were not covered under Medicare) services reimbursable under Medicare. The specific info is below: S.1 Prescription Drug and Medicare Improvement Act of 2003 (Engrossed as Agreed to or Passed by Senate) `Vision Rehabilitation Services; Vision Rehabilitation Professional `(ww)(1)(A) The term `vision rehabilitation services' means rehabilitative services (as determined by the Secretary in regulations) furnished-- `(i) to an individual diagnosed with a vision impairment (as defined in paragraph (6)); `(ii) pursuant to a plan of care established by a qualified physician (as defined in subparagraph (C)) or by a qualified occupational therapist that is periodically reviewed by a qualified physician; `(iii) in an appropriate setting (including the home of the individual receiving such services if specified in the plan of care); and `(iv) by any of the following individuals: `(I) A qualified physician. `(II) A qualified occupational therapist. `(III) A vision rehabilitation professional (as defined in paragraph (2)) while under the general supervision (as defined in subparagraph (D)) of a qualified physician. `(B) In the case of vision rehabilitation services furnished by a vision rehabilitation professional, the plan of care may only be established and reviewed by a qualified physician. `(C) The term `qualified physician' means-- `(i) a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(1)) who is an ophthalmologist; or `(ii) a physician (as defined in subsection (r)(4) (relating to a doctor of optometry)). `(D) The term `general supervision' means, with respect to a vision rehabilitation professional, overall direction and control of that professional by the qualified physician who established the plan of care for the individual, but the presence of the qualified physician is not required during the furnishing of vision rehabilitation services by that professional to the individual. `(2) The term `vision rehabilitation professional' means any of the following individuals: `(A) An orientation and mobility specialist (as defined in paragraph (3)). `(B) A rehabilitation teacher (as defined in paragraph (4)). `(C) A low vision therapist (as defined in paragraph (5)). `(3) The term `orientation and mobility specialist' means an individual who-- `(A) if a State requires licensure or certification of orientation and mobility specialists, is licensed or certified by that State as an orientation and mobility specialist; `(B)(i) holds a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university in the United States (or an equivalent foreign degree) with a concentration in orientation and mobility; and `(ii) has successfully completed 350 hours of clinical practicum under the supervision of an orientation and mobility specialist and has furnished not less than 9 months of supervised full-time orientation and mobility services; `(C) has successfully completed the national examination in orientation and mobility administered by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals; and `(D) meets such other criteria as the Secretary establishes. `(4) The term `rehabilitation teacher' means an individual who-- `(A) if a State requires licensure or certification of rehabilitation teachers, is licensed or certified by the State as a rehabilitation teacher; `(B)(i) holds a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university in the United States (or an equivalent foreign degree) with a concentration in rehabilitation teaching, or holds such a degree in a health field; and `(ii) has successfully completed 350 hours of clinical practicum under the supervision of a rehabilitation teacher and has furnished not less than 9 months of supervised full-time rehabilitation teaching services; `(C) has successfully completed the national examination in rehabilitation teaching administered by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals; and `(D) meets such other criteria as the Secretary establishes. `(5) The term `low vision therapist' means an individual who-- `(A) if a State requires licensure or certification of low vision therapists, is licensed or certified by the State as a low vision therapist; `(B)(i) holds a baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited college or university in the United States (or an equivalent foreign degree) with a concentration in low vision therapy, or holds such a degree in a health field; and `(ii) has successfully completed 350 hours of clinical practicum under the supervision of a physician, and has furnished not less than 9 months of supervised full-time low vision therapy services; `(C) has successfully completed the national examination in low vision therapy administered by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals; and `(D) meets such other criteria as the Secretary establishes. `(6) The term `vision impairment' means vision loss that constitutes a significant limitation of visual capability resulting from disease, trauma, or a congenital or degenerative condition that cannot be corrected by conventional means, including refractive correction, medication, or surgery, and that is manifested by 1 or more of the following: `(A) Best corrected visual acuity of less than 20/60, or significant central field defect. `(B) Significant peripheral field defect including homonymous or heteronymous bilateral visual field defect or generalized contraction or constriction of field. `(C) Reduced peak contrast sensitivity in conjunction with a condition described in subparagraph (A) or (B). `(D) Such other diagnoses, indications, or other manifestations as the Secretary may determine to be appropriate.'.
I take issue with this. In a time where they are telling us that the Medicare dollars are spread thin, why are they adding another provider for a service that is already covered by an existing provider (OT)? Jimmie *****************************��********************************** To remove yourself from the OTnow mail list, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In the message's *body*, put the following text: unsubscribe OTlist - List messages are archived at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED] *****************************��***********************************
