APMA News - February 2011 - (Page 18)

A Model Fee-Parity Law Now Available discrimination in coverage. This combination prevents insurers from avoiding reimbursement compliance requirements by simply not contracting with podiatrists, or by not covering services furnished by podiatrists. With those goals in mind, APMA created a model fee parity law for which state components are encouraged to advocate. PMA is pleased to offer the Model Fee-Parity Law Project, a manual to assist state advocates in ending fee discrimination. As the premier professional organization representing the majority of the nation’s podiatrists, APMA is committed to obtaining full recognition for podiatrists as the medical professionals uniquely qualified to treat the foot and ankle based on their education, training, and experience. Under the leadership of APMA’s State Advocacy and Health Systems Committees, the manual was developed to assist APMA members in ending payers’ discriminatory reimbursement practices. Thus, the purpose of the project is to provide podiatrists and their state associations with: a range of strategies to obtain nondiscriminatory reimbursement; information to assist podiatrists and their representatives in determining which strategies are appropriate for particular circumstances in their states; and a discussion of practical issues related to implementing the strategies. To accomplish its purpose, the Model Fee-Parity Law Project is divided into four sections, with each section providing guidance on how to obtain fee parity in your state. Under the leadership of APMA’s State Advocacy and Health Systems Committees, the manual was developed to assist APMA members in ending payers’ discriminatory reimbursement practices. Section Four: Resources for State Advocates Section Four provides a legal and legislative case study and other resources to help states in their legislative or legal initiatives. APMA encourages state components to take advantage of this resource and to develop a comprehensive strategy to obtain fee parity. The Model Fee-Parity Law Project is available at www. apma.org/stateresourcecenter. n Section One: Understanding Fee-Discrimination Laws This section provides information for members about how to read fee-discrimination statutes and determine whether the statutes are effective in preventing fee discrimination. Section Two: Obtaining Enforcement of Existing Laws Obtaining enforcement of existing laws can be accomplished through the appropriate state regulatory agency, such as the insurance department, or can be channeled through the legal system. Members seeking to pursue enforcement of existing laws are strongly encouraged to work with their state component societies. More information is available on the APMA members’ website: Visit www.apma.org/pirg for guidance on contracting with private insurers. Visit www.apma.org/statereferencemanual to access a compilation of state laws on anti-fee discrimination. Section Three: Introducing Fee-Parity Laws To be most effective, a law prohibiting discrimination in reimbursement should be accompanied by a prohibition against discrimination in plan participation and a prohibition against 18 APMA News l February 2011 http://www.apma.org/WorkingForYou/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1948 http://www.apma.org/WorkingForYou/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1948 http://www.apma.org/YourPractice/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1280 http://www.apma.org/YourPractice/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1304

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of APMA News - February 2011

APMA News - February 2011
Contents
In Short
President’s Message
A New Era in APMA Communications
Model Fee-Parity Law Now Available
Looking Forward to 2011 with ASPS
Nadia Sadeghi: A Long Road to Podiatric Medicine
Destination Boston: 2011 Annual Scientific Meeting
Annual Scientific Meeting Registration Form
Insurance Advisor
2011 Call for Awards Nominations
Members Who Know Media
CPME Update
Federal Advocacy Forum
Young Members Update
Coding Update
Talking Practice Enhancement
IT Consultant
New Members
Death Notices
In Memoriam: John Carson
Worthy of Note
Resolutions Submissions
Development Update
APMAPAC Update
Classified Advertising
Dates to Remember
Advertising Index

APMA News - February 2011