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There is a bi-partisan bill in congress known as the HR 2619 bill. For those not familiar with ‘bi-partisan,’ it means that a bill has been sent to congress and it has both (bi) Democrat and Republican support. So what’s so significant about this bill? This bill will help ensure that patient’s receive competent care by competent therapists. How?
There is a bi-partisan bill in congress known as the HR 2619 bill. For those not familiar with ‘bi-partisan,’ it means that a bill has been sent to congress and it has both (bi) Democrat and Republican support. So what’s so significant about this bill? This bill will help ensure that patient’s receive competent care by competent therapists. How?
The bill is seeking to add coverage of pulmonary management education
and training when done by a qualified respiratory therapist under the
supervision of a practicing physician. In other words, Medicare patients will
be covered when they seek education and training by qualified respiratory therapists.
In other words, qualified respiratory therapists will finally be reimbursed for
these services. In other words, respiratory therapists will be more marketable.
Need some examples of what may be covered? Observing and teaching MDI
techniques, educating the importance of proper medication use, recommending flu
and pneumonia vaccines, developing action plans, education on oxygen systems,
education on pulse ox monitoring, etc. These probably are things you already
do, but are not reimbursed for. This is a big incentive because the bill will
take the guesswork out of whether the physician will get paid for the RT services.
To qualify, the RT must hold a “registered” credential and
have at a minimum a bachelor’s degree or other advanced degree in a health
science field appropriate to the services RTs provide. RTs can be part-time or
full-time employees of the physician practice or be contracted to provide the
services. They will not, however, be able to start their own independent
practice.[1]
What if you don’t have a “registered” credential or a
bachelor’s degree? You are still qualified to support this bill! The bill
positively impacts the entire profession. Please help in making this happen!
How can you support the bill? The AARC has made the process
very easy. If you are a respiratory therapist, click on this link http://capwiz.com/aarc/issues/alert/?alertid=62340161.
This will compose a message to your U.S. Senators and U.S. House
Representative. The wording of the email has already been written. All you have
to do is type your name, email, home address, and hit send. That’s it!
If you are a student respiratory therapist, you can click on
this link http://capwiz.com/aarc/issues/alert/?alertid=62340241.
This will compose a message to your U.S. Senators and U.S. House
Representative. The wording of the email has already been written. All you have
to do is type your name, email, home address, and hit send. That’s it!
What are you waiting for? Do it!
Most RT are not eligible because they don't have a bachelor's degree that's why I won't suppl this bill. This takes advantage of personal who have been in the RT field for many years without a bachelor degree, and make money again for educators only people who benefit. The same way licensing did it cost majority of working the ripstop more money than it was worthy.
ReplyDeleteSo let me get this straight, persons who take the time and initiative to advance their education and to elevate the field of Respiratory Therapy are somehow taking advantage of those who do not desire to do so? I believe you are somewhat confused on how personal and professional advancement occurs. I believe you need to delve a bit deeper into the Bill and licensure acts, and try to understand how they serve to lend credibility to a profession and are worth every cent.
DeleteMost RT are not eligible because they don't have a bachelor's degree that's why I won't suppl this bill. This takes advantage of personal who have been in the RT field for many years without a bachelor degree, and make money again for educators only people who benefit. The same way licensing did it cost majority of working the ripstop more money than it was worthy.
ReplyDeleteKaren,
DeleteThis bill does not apply to the hospital setting. It's for those who have a bachelors and RRT and are looking to work in pulmonary rehab centers. Currently, RTs are not highly sought after at pulmonary rehab centers because their services are not necessarily reimbursed. If this bill passes, RRTs with a bachelors degree will find new jobs in a new field other than the hospital setting, thus reducing a saturated hospital market, and making jobs available in the hospital for RRTs who do not hold a bachelors.
The bill affects the entire profession in that way.
The future is headed towards BSRT. The market will only get more flooded if there isn't an opportunity for the BSRTs to work somewhere else. This is a good bill all around. If you do not have a BSRT, it will help with your employment in the hospital setting because, hopefully, the BSRTs will rather go to a new opportunity instead of the hospital. I don't have a BSRT, but for the sake of keeping my job in the hospital and ensuring it doesn't get flooded, I'm all for this bill!!
DeleteMost Respiratory therapist aren't eligible, that's the point. This will give a status much like a nurse practitioner to the RT field. If everyone can do it, it would saturate the market with too many respiratory physician extenders
DeleteThis makes no sense. Pulmonary Rehab centers are not going to get better reimbursement just because an RT has a BS degree or not. Medicare is slashing healthcare reimbursement no matter what. Im all for anyone getting their BS degree, but I wont support this bill. I work as an RRT, RPSGT in a pulm. Rehab center. Reimbursement is not driven by BS degree or not. Its driven based on patient types, comorbidities etc.
ReplyDelete"The legislation would amend Medicare Part B to add coverage of pulmonary self-management education and training services when furnished by qualified respiratory therapists in the physician practice setting to Medicare patients who have been diagnosed with COPD, asthma, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary fibrosis and cystic fibrosis."
DeleteIt's an ammendment to Medicare Part B to add coverage (i.e. reimbursement)
It is that style of thinking that will lead to the eventual demise of your job....undoubtedly.
DeleteYou would be crazy NOT to support this bill.it will have a direct impact on our profession. We need this to pass.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the current status of this bill
ReplyDeleteI am retiring in four years. I never thought about getting my BS because I felt that when I retire I would not need any aditional training. Now that retirement is close at hand I am thinking about the future. I have enrolled in an online BS program. That way when I retire I can pick up some work in a non-acute care setting. I fully support this bill. Let's think outside of self and support our profession. You may not want to further your education to obtain a BS but why limit it for others in the profession. We should all be on one accord and support the passage of this bill.
ReplyDeleteI read some of these comments and I am amazed..and not in a good way! This Bill is needed and will serve the profession well, it will also serve ALL RT's. I am embarrassed by the selfish and short sided notions of some here! The world is changing, changed. If we do not keep up with the educational requirements and provide a needed and recognized service in a highly capable and financially responsible method, our profession will be doomed! Face the facts...CRT level and and cerfificate style education is passé. ALL medical fields have raised the bar and requirements for practitioners, RT is no exception. Move with the forward flow of progress and patient service or be left behind. Frankly, the nay sayers and those too stubborn to change with the advancing times will not really be missed. Clinging to the old regime of how things "used to be" has never brought forward progress and will not work anymore . If you are truly dedicated to the profession and want to advance both yourself and the field of Respiratory Therapy you will support the Bill, if not then you will fade out as the tide of advancement rolls forward without you, with no none but yourself to blame.
ReplyDelete