National health care policy enacted at the Federal level provides a challenge and an opportunity to respiratory therapy. The challenge is being heard when other health care concerns are also pressuring Congress and the administration. The opportunity is to benefit millions of respiratory patients across the country by positively influencing public policy.

Coding

• The AARC has established a coding resource page with links to key web sources. There is also a listserve, that as AARC members you may join.
• AARC Comments on Respiratory Therapy G Codes -- December 20, 2001
• AARC Comments on Proposed Asthma Codes -- January 24, 2002

Diagnostics

• Physician Supervision of Diagnostic Tests, Program Memorandum B-01-28, April 19, 2001   

Home Health Care   

• DME Competitive Bidding/Acquisition
• Oxygen Re-Certification   
• Prospective Payment System for Home Health Agencies   

Inpatient Care

• Prospective Payment System for Hospital Inpatient Departments
• Prospective Payment System for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities

Local Medical Review Policies (LMRPs)   

• What Are LMRPs?   
• The LMRP Process   
• How You Can Be Involved   
• LMRP Development and Format -- HCFA Program Memorandum  

Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilation (NPPV)

• AARC Comments on OIG Report -- October 2, 2001
• AARC Comments on NPPV Policy (PDF) – October 2005
• Medicare Ruling on NPPV devices

Other Issues Important to Respiratory Therapy

• CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments)   
• Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy   
• Independent Diagnostic Testing Facilities (IDTFs)   
• Privacy of Patient Information   
• Medicare Pt. B Inhalation Drugs

Outpatient Care

• Prospective Payment System for Hospital Outpatient Departments    

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Care   

• Competency Study on Respiratory Therapy Performed in Skilled Nursing Facilities

Tobacco   

• Guidance Document on Medicare Smoking Cessation Counseling    

Home Oxygen Study

• “Implementation of an Oxygen Therapy Clinic to Manage Users of Long-Term Oxygen Therapy.” This study, conducted at a military-affiliated tertiary care hospital, evaluated 283 long term oxygen therapy patients and those with new oxygen prescriptions. The study concluded that using a respiratory therapist-managed oxygen therapy clinic (OTC) to manage home oxygen patients can significantly decrease inappropriate supplemental oxygen use which can result in significant cost savings while providing improved health care delivery

 

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