2020 is a year for the history books. COVID-19 pandemic creates havoc on our nation with lost lives, lost jobs, exhausted/frightened healthcare workers, lost senior proms and graduations, closed universities, changes in the way we practice medicine, and of course the most important hoarding of toilet paper and cleaning supplies. Emergency waivers for telehealth and telephonic visits has allowed patients to have continuity of care with social distancing and reduced risk of exposure, but sadly this also comes at an expense. Unless you are a health care provider with an NPI number you cannot bill for your services. This has caused colleagues to lose jobs, centers to close due to loss of revenue, and patients not to receive education.
ADCES has made 2020 about new vision and name change. Now is the opportunity to obtain a seat at the table to help shape the future of healthcare delivery. There will be changes to future patient visits to include telehealth and telephonic visits after this crisis is over. ADCES needs to fight for reimbursement based on certification and not profession alone. Just as CDCES stand apart with expertise in knowledge and practice, we need to be the pioneers in changing insurance recognition of payment. I challenge everyone to advocate for change. Below is the link to help make legislation aware.
https://www.diabeteseducator.org/advocacy/adces-legislative-action-center#/
Tammie Payne, MSN, CRNP, RN, CDCES, NP-C