I'd like to address part of this discussion. There was no request from CMS to provide our qualifications to evaluate chairs prior to the LCD draft issuance. We LONG advocated for OTs to be specifically recognized as qualified to do this, starting with when CMS began the process of disseminating the National Coverage Decision, but CMS' response to us repeatedly (in writing and on calls) was that they were going to leave the decision of who would be qualified to another process. They didn't identify the DMERC Medical Directors as the group tasked with determining who would be qualified until very late in the game, a few months before the draft LCD was issued.
We commented on the draft LCD and subsequently requested reconsideration of comments. We had a conference call with the DMERC Medical Directors last week to make our case. We should know something by mid-November. Here are some articles that discuss the issue in more detail. http://www.aota.org/Archive/NewsA/FedReimbA/39756.aspx http://www.aota.org/News/AdvocacyNews/fedreim/39739.aspx http://www.aota.org/Practitioners/Reimb/News/Letters/40713.aspx http://www.aota.org/Practitioners/Reimb/News/Announcements/40727.aspx Chuck Willmarth Director, State Affairs and Reimbursement & Regulatory Affairs AOTA -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mary Alice Cafiero Sent: Sunday, October 28, 2007 11:35 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [OTlist] ATP Medicare first looked to AOTA and APTA to ask what the standardized education and monitoring was for therapists who performed high end wheelchair evaluations. Neither organization had an answer, so Medicare expanded it's search to RESNA (Rehab Engineering Society of North America), some of the top manufacturers (Sunrise-who makes Quickie chairs, Invacare, Permobil, and Pride) to ask the same questions. The only credential available to show that a therapist has specific knowledge of assistive technology is the ATP exam through RESNA. There is also an ATS exam/credential for suppliers. RESNA requires that you have a certain number of hours in the AT field before you can take the exam and also requires continuing education applicable to the area in which you practice to keep your credential current. Medicare isn't going to require an ATP for every power eval. It is only for Group 2 chairs with a power function such as tilt or recline and any Group 3 chair. Group 3 is for more complex rehab and, in my opinion, should always require a therapist's evaluation. It is a good checks and balances system as well as a good way for clinicians and suppliers to collaborate. I personally think the therapist should be involved in the delivery of higher end equipment every time. So, after all that, my answer to your question is that, yes, it is a good idea to require the ATP. Mary Alice Cafiero, MSOTR, ATP On Oct 27, 2007, at 7:19 PM, Ron Carson wrote: > Hello All: > > Mary, your recent message and your credentials prompted to write this > message. > > Starting in 2008, Medicare will require the ATP credential for certain > types of wheelchair evals. > > How do list members feel about this? Is an ATP credential necessary > to satisfactorily evaluate a patient for power mobility? > > Thanks, > > Ron > > > -- > Options? > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > > Archive? > www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] > > ********************************************************************** > **************** > Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for > OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. > www.otdegree.com/otn > ********************************************************************** > **************** -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************ ************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn ************************************************************************ ************** -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
