Re: Re: Reimbursement for Obesity Counseling: So What?

[Guest guest]

I just wonder if given all the cuts the doctors would be facing in

reimbursement, if they wouldn't look at this as opportunity to " bill " for

more services, therefore doing it themselves. I'm sure this is the most

pessimistic view of doctors, but working under CMS guidelines, I've seen

crazy things.

> **

>

>

> Personally I do feel it would be worth it even with the cuts...We have to

> start somewhere.... - Ann Maher

>

> ________________________________

>

> To: rd-usa

> Sent: Wednesday, December 7, 2011 11:27 AM

>

> Subject: Re: Re: Reimbursement for Obesity Counseling: So What?

>

> With a potential 30% cut in Medicare for MDs or at best staying the same

> (Congress " mulling " it over) is it worth the effort financially?

>

>

>

> > **

> >

> >

> > Hi All, just a quick question...for those of us who already work in a

> > primary care office, how do we go about the billing part of this then? Do

> > we bill like we normally would and have the MD sign off on our notes or

> > co-sign for us? Or how does that work? Does anyone know? thanks - Ann

> > Maher, RD

> >

> > ________________________________

> >

> > To: rd-usa

> > Sent: Wednesday, December 7, 2011 10:56 AM

> >

> > Subject: Re: Reimbursement for Obesity Counseling: So What?

> >

> >

> > Raphaela, I couldn't agree with you more that we need to strategize. Call

> > me a " glass half full thinker " but I look at this as an opportunity for

> > RD's. Previously, no practitioner (including MD's) could bill Medicare

> for

> > obesity counseling. Now that this policy is taking effect it is crucial

> > that RD's market themselves to primary offices to ensure that RD's DO

> > provide the direct obesity counseling. I know of many RD's who are

> > contracted with MD offices to provide MNT and the MD pays them out of

> what

> > he bills Medicare and insurance, essentially meaning it takes away from

> > his/her bottom line.

> >

> > Now that an MD can submit claims to Medicare for obesity counseling that

> > is more money for them which in turn can be paid to the RD. We need be

> sure

> > sure that when we contract with primary care offices we do not undercut

> our

> > contracted rates! We know the MD is getting reimbursement and we should

> get

> > a LARGE cut of that paid by the MD to provide the obesity counseling. I

> > speak locally to RD's wanting to start a private practice or provide

> > outpatient counseling and this can be a great way to earn income and not

> > have to set up an office with overhead, etc.

> >

> > CMS states in the policy that auxilliary personnel can provide the direct

> > counseling as long as the MD is present in the office suite or directly

> > available to provide assistance or guidance. We should be aggressive to

> get

> > to the MD's before they do let RN's and God forbid MA's provide the

> > counseling. Just my thoughts...

> >

> > Kathleen Wall, RD, CDE

> >

> >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > I am totally baffled by this situation. Where is the ADA?

> > Dietitians are the only health professionals trained in weight

> management.

> > Why is the responsibility given to those untrained, particularly PA's and

> > nurses? Why are we, once again, left out. Now I have to tell patients

> that

> > Medicare will cover their weight management with a physician or their

> > untrained staff but not me. What a horrendous situation.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > From: rd-usa [mailto:rd-usa ] On

> > Behalf Of Weaver

> > > > > > Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2011 12:12 AM

> > > > > > To: rd-usa

> > > > > > Subject: Reimbursement for Obesity Counseling: So What?

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > > But even if all of this were to move forward in tandem,

> physicians

> > > > > > would still be struggling to allocate time to weight management

> > > > > > counseling and away from other matters. The solution to this is

> for

> > > > > > physicians to initiate the counseling, and then defer to others

> > better

> > > > > > suited to address the details. Dietitians are the obvious choice.

> > In

> > > > > > some cases, health coaches could play this role as well. But for

> > this

> > > > > > strategy to work, there would need to be reimbursement for that

> > > > > > counseling as well.

> > > > > >

> >

>

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-katz-md/obesity-counseling-reimbursement_b_1\

127032.html

> > > > > >

> > > > > > --

> > > > > > Thanks, Weaver MS RD LD Medical Nutritionist/Medical

> > > > > > Assistant http://mdrdtherapy.com Medifast Take Shape For Life!

> > Power

> > > > > > To Choose Optimal Health! 404 875-9919 Health Coach ID 30020181

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