Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists are Invited to Participate in a Survey on Interprofessional Professionalism Behaviors
Academic Affairs is representing ASHA and contributing to the work of an interprofessional consultant group for the purpose of defining interprofessional professionalism among health professions and to consider how relevant measurement tools might be designed. The work of this consultant group culminated to date with the identification of a number of observable behaviors thought to best illustrate professionalism in the context of interprofessional collaborations while providing patient-centered care.
The Consultant Group on Interprofessional Professionalism Measurement is conducting a survey representing the following professional organizations: American Association of Colleges of Nursing, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, American Association of College of Pharmacy, American Dental Education Association, American Psychological Association, American Physical Therapy Association, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the National Board of Medical Examiners.
All audiologists and speech-language pathologists are invited to participate. Visit the IPPMG Wiki page at www.ippmg.pbwiki.com (password ippmg100) to learn more about this initiative, complete the survey, and to contribute suggestions about interprofessional professionalism behaviors. If attending the 2008 ASHA Convention in Chicago, plan to attend Session 0231, a presentation scheduled for Saturday, November 22, from 2:30-3:30 pm entitled, Collaborative Interprofessional Professionalism: What’s All the Fuss?
For more information please contact Loretta M. Nunez, M.A., Au.D., CCC-A/SLP, Director, Academic Affairs, lnunez@asha.org
(Posted: 07-21-2008)
Commission for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Issues 'Savvy Consumer Guide to Hearing Loss'
The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH) today announced the publication of its updated Savvy Consumer’s Guide to Hearing Loss. The new guide serves as a reference tool specifically for individuals who have lost all or much of their hearing during their teenage or adult years. Topics include the impact of hearing loss; available resources and services; communication options; assistive technology; and coping strategies.
Consumers interested in obtaining copies of the guide are encouraged to contact the Commission at 617-740-1600 or 617-740-1700 (TTY). The guide is also available online at: www.mass.gov/mcdhh
(Posted: 07-21-2008)
New 2008 Medicare Fee Schedule Rates for Services July 1 to End of 2008
In response to yesterday’s passage of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the following announcement regarding Medicare fee schedule payment rates concerning services delivered between July 1 and December 20, 2008. This is likely to be the first of several guidance messages to be issued by the agency as a result of MIPPA becoming law.
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 was enacted on July 15, 2008. As a result, the mid-year 2008 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) rate reduced by 10.6 percent has been replaced with a 0.5 percent increase, retroactive to July 1, 2008. Physicians, non-physician practitioners, and other providers of services paid under the MPFS should begin to receive payment at the 0.5% updated rates in approximately 10 business days or less. Medicare contractors are currently working to update their payment system with the new rates.
In the meantime, to avoid a disruption to the payment of claims for physicians, non-physician practitioners and other providers of services paid under the MPFS, Medicare contractors will continue to process the claims that have been on hold on a rolling basis (first in/first out) for payment at the -10.6% update level. After your local contractor begins to pay claims at the new 0.5% rate, to the extent possible, the contractor will begin to automatically reprocess any claims paid at the lower rates.
Under the Medicare statute, Medicare pays the lower of submitted charges or the Medicare fee schedule amount. Claims with dates of service July 1 and later billed with a submitted charge of at least at the level of the January 1 – June 30, 2008, the fee schedule amount will be automatically reprocessed. Any lesser amount will require providers to contact their local contractor for direction on obtaining adjustments. Non-participating physicians who submitted unassigned claims at the reduced nonparticipation amount also will need to request an adjustment.
Contractor websites are being updated with the new rates and these should be available shortly. Be aware that any published MLN Matters articles affected by the new law will be revised or rescinded as appropriate. Finally, be on the alert for more information about other legislative provisions which may affect you. Further instructions regarding other provisions of MIPPA will be forthcoming.
ASHA will pass along further information from CMS as it becomes available. For questions or additional information about the implementation of MIPPA provisions by CMS, please contact reimbursement@asha.org
(Posted: 07-17-2008)
Therapy Caps Exceptions Process Reinstituted
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has made the following announcement regarding the Medicare therapy caps exceptions process in response to the passage of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008:
The law reinstated the therapy caps exceptions process as of July 1st. Therefore, medically necessary therapy services, in excess of the therapy caps, will continue to be paid by Medicare in accordance with the exceptions process. Claims submitted with the therapy cap exception modifier will be processed as soon as the payment rates have been activated. Claims submitted without the modifier, and rejected or denied, can be resubmitted with the modifier for reimbursement. To the extent possible, claims under the the rapy cap limit, which were paid at the lower rate, will be reprocessed automatically. More information on therapy caps is available at www.cms.hhs.gov/TherapyServices
For questions or further information, please contact ASHA’s Healthcare Economics and Advocacy Team at reimbursement@asha.org
(Posted: 07-17-2008)
Congress Overrides Presidential Veto to Pass Medicare Relief Legislation
SLP Private Practice Direct Billing and Audiology Quality Reporting Bonus Now Law!
With strong bi-partisan support both the House of Representatives (383-41) and Senate (70-26) voted to override the White House veto of H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. The President vetoed the bill earlier today, due to concerns that the proposed cuts to the Medicare Advantage private fee for services plans would decrease access to Medicare services in rural and underserved areas.
Passage of the law will allow speech-language pathologists in private practice to enroll in the Medicare program effective July 2009 and recognize audiologists as eligible to receive a bonus payment under Medicare's quality reporting initiative. Both provisions must now go through the regulatory phase at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
The new law will also allow Medicare to continue reimbursing providers at the 2008 physician fee schedule rates, and increase Part B payment 1.1% for 2009. The therapy cap exceptions process is extended through December 2009. CMS has been holding claims since July 1, in anticipation of Congressional action, and will adjust payments as necessary.
ASHA applauds the grassroots and advocacy efforts of audiologists and speech-language pathologists. More detailed information on the implementation of SLP private practice and audiology quality reporting will be forthcoming as it becomes available. For more information, please contact Ingrida Lusis, Director of Federal and Political Advocacy at 202-624-5951 or via email at ilusis@asha.org
(Posted: 07-16-2008)
Urge Your Senators to Override Expected Veto on Medicare Bill
The White House has expressed its intent to veto H.R. 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008. Should the President follow through on the veto threat, the bill must go back to Congress and passed both the House and Senate one more time. The White House and Senate Republican Leadership will no doubt put pressure on those Republicans that voted in favor of the bill.
Please contact your Senators and request that they vote yes, should a vote to override a presidential veto be necessary. In less than 5 minutes, ASHA's Take Action Center will help you send an editable message based on your Senators' earlier vote on H.R. 6331 at capwiz.com/asha2/home/
The President has up to 10 days to either sign or veto the bill. The legislation passed the Senate 69-30 passed the House by an overwhelming bi-partisan vote of 355-59. The Medicare legislation that passed Congress would:
- Halt the current 10.6% reduction in Medicare payments for the remainder of 2008 and increase reimbursement rates by 1.1% for 2009;
- Extend the therapy cap exceptions process through December 2009;
- Permit speech-language pathologist in private practice to bill Medicare beginning July 2009; and
- Allow audiologists to participate in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI).
For further information, please contact Ingrida Lusis, ASHA's Director of Federal and Political Advocacy, at ilusis@asha.org or by phone at 202-624-5951.
(Posted: 07-14-2008)
Person First Language Survey Opportunity
MSHA has been asked to assist with a research project being conducted by two doctoral students at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
In addition to their studies in Communication Sciences and Disorders, they are both graduates of the University of Oklahoma's Leadership in Neurodevelomental Disabilities Program (LEND).
In an effort to contribute to appropriate practices in professional interactions with individuals with disabilities, they are in the process of collecting information from Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists on their attitudes toward, and knowledge of, Person First Language. The students hope to present data collected from this University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved study at the 2008 ASHA Convention.
By a vote of 69-30 the Senate passed Medicare relief legislation H.R. 6331, which will avert a 10.6% payment cut and extend the therapy cap exceptions process through January 2010. The bill also includes language that will recognize private practice speech-language pathologist's ability to bill Medicare and will allow audiologists to participate in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative. H.R. 6331 passed the House of Representatives with an over-whelming bipartisan majority.
Although the White House has issued a veto threat, it is unclear at this point, whether President Bush will sign the bill into law or reject the legislation. ASHA anticipates that the bill will become law, because the legislation passed both the House and the Senate with veto proof margins.
We appreciate the hard work and grassroots support of the membership. Over 7500 emails and letters were sent by ASHA members over the last two weeks on this important legislation! ASHA will now begin working on the regulations to implement SLP private practice, as well as develop measures that audiologist can use in reporting quality measures.
For questions or further information, please contact Ingrida Lusis, ASHA's Director of Federal and Political Advocacy, at ilusis@asha.org or by phone at 202-624-5951.
(Posted: 07-10-2008)
House Subcommittee Passes Health and Education 2009 Funding Bill
On Thursday, June 19, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies considered and passed a funding bill for fiscal year (FY) 2009. Though details of the bill have not been released by the committee, a press statement on the bill indicated that total funding for the FY2009 Labor-HHS-Ed Appropriations bill was set at $153 billion, $7.7 billion above President Bush’s FY2009 request and $7.9 billion above final FY2008 funding levels.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) was a big winner under this bill with a $1.2 billion increase over FY2008. According to Chairman David Obey, the funding will result in more than 1,000 new research grants.
The subcommittee rejected Administration proposed cuts of $240 million to health professions and nursing education and proposed an additional $69 million in funding to train the doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.
Early childhood, K-12, and higher education programs, such as IDEA Part B, Head Start, NCLB Title I, and Pell grants all received modest increases. The federal share of special education funding under IDEA would only increase from 17.2% to 17.5%.
Should you have any questions about the fiscal year 2009 Labor-HHS-Ed appropriations bill, please contact Neil Snyder, ASHA’s Director of Federal Advocacy, at nsnyder@asha.org or 800-498-2071, ext. 5614.
(Posted: 06-28-2008)
ASHA Submits Comments to ED on NCLB Proposed Rules
ASHA submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Education in response to the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would make changes to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, including requirements for a uniform formula to calculate high school graduation rates, improved parental notification for Supplemental Education Services (SES), and public school choice. The notice appeared in the April 23, 2008, Federal Register, and public comments on the proposal were due by June 23, 2008. The proposed regulations affect students with communication disorders and audiologists and speech-language pathologists who provide services to these students.
ASHA supports the proposed changes in Sec.200.2 of the NPRM that clarify that districts will have the option of using multiple measures in the assessment process. ASHA also supports the proposed changes on supplemental educational service and public school choice in Sec.200.39. Finally, ASHA supports the integration of a growth model option in Sec. 200.20 that incorporates student academic growth in the state’s definition of Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). For students with disabilities it is critical for assessments to be conducted in consideration of the baseline ability of a student and of progress made on IEP goals.
For further information, please contact Catherine D. Clarke, ASHA's Director of Education and Regulatory Advocacy, via e-mail at cclarke@asha.org or by phone at 800-498-2071, ext. 5611.
(Posted: 06-23-2008)
HCS Rehab Compensation Study
Hospital and Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS), publisher of the Hospital, Nursing Home, and Home Care Salary & Benefits Reports, is conducting its 2nd annual national Rehabilitation Compensation Study. This study will cover rehabilitation jobs in Hospitals, Home Health, and Nursing Homes. Last year’s Report had 2,200 total participants reporting on 3,000 therapy employees.
The brief study covers thirteen rehab positions. Data surveyed includes actual salary/hourly rates, bonuses, and per diem rates, as well as benefits granted. Results will be reported separately for hospitals, home health, and nursing homes, showing data by county, state, and region.
Note there is a reduced purchase price for participants.
Completed questionnaires are due to HCS by July 21, 2008. Please email your completed questionnaire to rzabka@hhcsinc.com. If you have any questions, please email or call Rosanne Zabka at (201) 405-0075, ext. 11.
2008 Survey Deadlines:
HOMECARE Salary & Benefits Report: Final deadline August 4; published late October 2008
Hospice Salary & Benefits Report: Final deadline August 4; Published late November 2008
CCRC Salary & Benefits Report: Published late June 2008
Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Report: Published late July 2008
Hospital Salary & Benefits Report: Published late August 2008
(Posted: 06-23-2008)
Senate Finance Members Introduce Competing Medicare Fix Bills
Senate Finance Chair Max Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Charles Grassley (R-IA) have separately introduced competing Medicare bills to address larger Medicare issues, such as averting significant cuts to the physician fee schedule and extending the therapy cap exceptions process. Both proposals include provisions that would allow speech-language pathologists to bill from a private practice and recognize audiologists as eligible to receive bonus payments under Medicare’s Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI).
Unfortunately, both bills face an uphill battle for passage. It is anticipated that the legislation will be altered as Senate leaders and the White House undertake cuts to off-set the larger cost items in the bill, such as the Medicare fee schedule fix.
Absent congressional action by June 30th, Medicare beneficiaries who have already exceeded the $1,810 combined SLP/PT cap will have to seek services at a hospital outpatient department. CMS has been tracking Medicare beneficiaries’ use of therapy services since January 1, 2008 and will apply the combined cap retroactively to the beginning of the year. Due to consolidated billing rules, skilled nursing facility (SNF) inpatients are not permitted to access additional rehabilitation services through the hospital outpatient department.
For further information, please contact Ingrida Lusis, ASHA’s Director of Federal and Political Advocacy, at ilusis@asha.org or by phone at 202-624-5951. For further information about the therapy caps exceptions process, please visits ASHA’s Web site at www.asha.org/about/legislation-advocacy/federal/cap/ or contact Reimbursement@asha.org.
(Posted: 06-13-2008)
Draft Senate Medicare Legislation Proposed
On Monday, June 2, Senator Max Baucus, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, released information on a draft Medicare proposal that is considered to be a starting point for negotiations with Senate Republicans and the White House. Included in the proposal is language to recognize a speech-language pathologist’s ability to bill from a private practice and a provision permitting audiologists to participate in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). The proposed bill also would extend the therapy cap exceptions process through 2009, avert a 10 percent reduction in Medicare Part B reimbursement rates, and provide for a half percent update to the Medicare fee schedule in 2009.
In releasing the proposal, Senator Baucus indicated that he intends to have a final bill for the Senate to consider early next week, June 9. Congress is on a tight deadline and must pass Medicare legislation by June 30, in order to avert drastic cuts to the Medicare physician fee schedule and extend the therapy cap exceptions process. The proposal must still gain support from Republicans in order to ensure passage. Senate leaders and the White House appear to still be at odds over the total cost of the legislation and what cuts would have to be undertaken to off-set the larger cost items, such as the Medicare fee schedule fix.
ASHA is pleased that SLP supplier status and audiology recognition under PQRI are part of the Senate Finance proposal. Supplier status provision was also included in the House of Representative’s bill that passed last summer. We will continue to work with the Senate and House to ensure that all provisions impacting speech-language pathologists and audiologists remain in the final measure. For further information, please contact Ingrida Lusis, ASHA’s Director of Federal and Political Advocacy, via e-mail at ilusis@asha.org or by phone at 202-624-5951.
(Posted: 06-04-2008)
ED Announces Teacher-to-Teacher 2008 Summer Workshops
Building on the success of previous years’ teacher workshops, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) will again host a series of workshops for teachers and principals in the summer of 2008. The teacher workshops offer educators a free opportunity to participate in high-quality professional development designed to provide classroom support, technical assistance, and increased collaboration needed to ensure academic success for all students. Teachers from public, private, and charter schools may register. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Prominent teachers, principals, and district officials provide training sessions and share research-based practices they have successfully applied in their classrooms and schools. Reading, math, science, and history will be the content focus as well as using data, differentiating instruction, Doing What Works, and technology to support student achievement. The 2008 Teacher-to-Teacher Summer Workshops are scheduled to be held in 12 cities throughout the U.S beginning June 18th. The complete schedule can be found at https://www.t2tweb.us/Workshops/Schedule.asp.
Included in these workshops are many sessions that address topics related to special education, such as:
· Constructive Chaos
· Inclusion: How Do We Modify and Meet Standards?
· Maximizing Instructional Time Through Positive Behavior Strategies
· One Size Does Not Fit All: Standards-Based Differentiation
· Responding to Student Needs NOT Behaviors
· Response to Intervention: Key Elements of School Wide Implementation
· Thinking Outside the Box: An Inclusion Model
The Teacher-to-Teacher Initiative was designed by teachers for teachers in order to provide technical support, professional development opportunities and recognition for teachers of all content areas and grade levels. For more information on the 2008 workshops or to register visit https://www.t2tweb.us/Workshops/About.asp or contact Catherine D. Clarke, ASHA’s Director of Education and Regulatory Advocacy, at cclarke@asha.org or by phone at 800-498-2071, ext. 5611.
(Posted: 05-29-2008)
ED Releases IDEA Part B Supplemental Proposed Rules
The U.S. Department of Education (ED) released a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) to supplement the final IDEA Part B (Grants to states) regulations that were originally published in the August 14, 2006, Federal Register. Public comments on these proposed regulations are due to ED on or before July 28, 2008.
Issues addressed in the NPRM include:
· parental revocation of consent after consenting to the initial provision of services;
· state or local educational agency’s (LEA’s) obligation to make positive efforts to employ qualified individuals with disabilities;
· representation of parents by non-attorneys in due process hearings; and
· state monitoring, technical assistance, and enforcement of the Part B program and the allocation of funds, under sections 611 and 619 of the Act, to LEAs that are not serving any children with disabilities.
ASHA is reviewing the proposed regulations to determine its impact on the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology and utilizing a member advisory group to submit comments on issues of concern to speech-language pathologists and audiologists. For more information on the proposed regulations, please visit the Federal Register at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-10522.pdf or contact Catherine D. Clarke, ASHA’s Director of Education and Regulatory Advocacy, at cclarke@asha.org or by phone at 800-498-2071, ext. 5611
(Posted: 05-29-2008)
2009 Defense Bill Requests Center of Excellence for Auditory Disorders
ASHA is pleased to commend and support a provision in H.R. 5658, The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, that would establish a Center of Excellence in the prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of hearing loss and auditory system injuries. A Center of Excellence for auditory disorders will ensure highest quality of audiologic care, improve access to care, and create an advocacy network for American service members with hearing loss and balance disorders. The legislation is now being considering by the Senate.
In report language accompanying the legislation, the House Committee on Armed Services stated that Department of Defense needs to focus and accelerate its efforts to address the hearing needs of services members due to the vast operational, health and quality of life issues associated with exposure to high noise levels and blasts. The committee cited a study that found that of the military personnel associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom that had been exposed to blasts, more than 50 percent had significant hearing loss, 49 percent reported tinnitus, 3 percent experienced tympanic membrane perforation, 26 percent indicated ear pain and 15 percent complained of dizziness.
ASHA will work with the Senate to ensure that this provision is included in the final legislation that will be sent to the President. For additional information, contact Ingrida Lusis, Director of Federal and Political Advocacy at ilusis@asha.org or by phone at (202) 624-5951.
(Posted: 05-28-2008)
Better Hearing & Speech Month Resolutions Introduced in Congress
At ASHA’s urging, both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate have introduced legislation supporting the goals and recognition of Better Hearing and Speech Month. House Concurrent Resolution (H.Con.Res.) 352 was introduced by Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), co-chair of the Congressional Hearing Health Caucus, and Senate Concurrent Resolution (S.Con.Res.) 83 was introduced by Senator Hilary R. Clinton (D-NY).
Both resolutions recognize the importance of speech and hearing services for all age groups in the United States, including those who have experienced hearing loss, speech-language disorders, and traumatic brain injury.
The resolutions also urge increased coordination of community-based, comprehensive care for members of the Armed Forces, veterans, athletes, and accident victims who have experienced hearing and speech deficiencies as a result of traumatic brain injury. They commend the forty-six states that have implemented routine newborn hearing screening before leaving the hospital under state-wide programs for early hearing detection and intervention (EHDI).
The resolutions have been referred to committees of jurisdiction for further consideration before being voted on the by the House and Senate. ASHA members are encouraged to contact their members of Congress and request hat they co-sponsor these resolutions. For more information, please contact Neil Snyder, ASHA’s Director of Federal Advocacy, at nsnyder@asha.org. For more information about Better Hearing and Speech Month, please check out ASHA’s Web site at http://www.asha.org/bhsm/.
