Thursday, April 9, 2009

We may be a step closer to getting some professional recognition for the Rehab Technology Supplier (RTS) in Texas

On March 11, 2009, Texas State Senator Zaffirini filed SB1804. Senate Bill 1804 directs the Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement certain requirements for the involvement of a credentialed RTS as a prerequisite for medical assistance reimbursement made for a wheeled mobility system that is provided on or after September 1, 2011.

The industry in Texas has been advocating this action for several years now and we may be getting close to something workable that can actually be put in place. The bill seeks to direct the HHS commissioner to finally incorporate in policy, under the various state programs, what many of us have felt for a long time was critical when dealing with mobility and seated positioning. Specifically that having an experienced professional involved in the initial assessment, the development of specifications, and the final delivery will bring value to the provision of the equipment and will serve to enhance the outcomes for which the equipment was provided. This is good for the beneficiaries and good for the state.

There is still work to be done to make this a "win win". SB1804, as filed, is absent a critical component relating to any direction to HHS to make provision for reimbursement for the services of the credentialed RTS. Without this component being in the bill I really think it is hard to support and we might be better off without it. To implement this proposal without provision for the professional compensation component would serve to simply add an additional cost to the delivery of the care by providers, and would in turn simply force the reduction in overall quality and assess. It is my understanding that the Senator is expected to offer an amendment to the bill, prior to Health and Human Services Committee consideration, that will address the compensation issue as well as some other definition clarifications, but as of this writing there is no indication that any amendment has been offered to the bill as filed.

We all should be watching this one with great interest.
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