Mary Peterson and I have been comparing the 8 Electronic Head Controlled
Mice (Head Master Plus, Head Mouse, Head Way, Miracle Mouse, Tracer,
Tracker 2000, Tracker One, Smart Nav) that we have found on the market.
From our tests, the Tracker is somewhat better at light control, but if
you really want to get rid of the light problem, you might want to
consider another technology. For example, the Head Master Plus uses
ultrasonic sound, the Head Way uses tilt sensing, and the Tracer uses
gyropoint technology. These of course have other pros and cons; the main
con being some sort of head gear (like a headphone, headband, visor
respectively).

I'm currently working on handouts for a presentation at the Closing the
Gap conference. Let me know if you would like a copy.


Patti Bahr
Gillette Technology Center
550 County Rd. D, Suite 12
New Brighton, MN 55112
651 634 1911 (voice)
651 628 4484 (fax)

>>> rgrott@sfsu.edu 10/06/03 05:11PM >>>
Hi all,
I'm in the process of replacing someone's head mouse which is used to
access communication software on a laptop. We're moving his Origin
HeadMouse over to his desktop for various reasons, including that
he's had trouble with it outdoors,  so we want to stay with a
reflective dot. Madentec claims the Tracker has been improved for
working in sunlight but I was wondering what peoples' experience has
been with this or other products "out in the field"?

Thanks,
Ray Grott
--

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I would like a written copy of your findings on comparing head
controllers.  My mailing address is given below.  Thanks so much.

Andrew Szeto

At 09:25 AM 10/7/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>Mary Peterson and I have been comparing the 8 Electronic Head Controlled
>Mice (Head Master Plus, Head Mouse, Head Way, Miracle Mouse, Tracer,
>Tracker 2000, Tracker One, Smart Nav) that we have found on the market.
> >From our tests, the Tracker is somewhat better at light control, but if
>you really want to get rid of the light problem, you might want to
>consider another technology. For example, the Head Master Plus uses
>ultrasonic sound, the Head Way uses tilt sensing, and the Tracer uses
>gyropoint technology. These of course have other pros and cons; the main
>con being some sort of head gear (like a headphone, headband, visor
>respectively).
>
>I'm currently working on handouts for a presentation at the Closing the
>Gap conference. Let me know if you would like a copy.
>
>
>Patti Bahr
>Gillette Technology Center
>550 County Rd. D, Suite 12
>New Brighton, MN 55112
>651 634 1911 (voice)
>651 628 4484 (fax)
>
> >>> rgrott@sfsu.edu 10/06/03 05:11PM >>>
>Hi all,
>I'm in the process of replacing someone's head mouse which is used to
>access communication software on a laptop. We're moving his Origin
>HeadMouse over to his desktop for various reasons, including that
>he's had trouble with it outdoors,  so we want to stay with a
>reflective dot. Madentec claims the Tracker has been improved for
>working in sunlight but I was wondering what peoples' experience has
>been with this or other products "out in the field"?
>
>Thanks,
>Ray Grott
>--
>
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>
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Andrew Y.J. Szeto, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor & IEEE Fellow
Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive  (M/C 1309)
San Diego, CA. 92182-1309
(619) 594-5723 / FAX  594-2654

Hi,

I am intrigued by the possibility of using a tablet PCs to run
dynamic display communicator programs such as those by Words+ and
Dynavox. Has anybody had any experience in this matter?

Thanks

Mark
--



Mark I. Bresler MBME, PE, President
Trudy Posner, MS, OT/L, Director of Product Services
Southwest Assistive Technology Inc.
PO Box 639
West Haverstraw, NY 10993
(888) 388-SWAT
(845) 947-0377 voice
email: sales@swattech.com
website: http://www.swattech.com

Sounds like a great idea if the 12" screen is adequate--However, I'm
not sure if or how well the touch-screen feature of the tablet will
work without the stylus. I had tried to use one on display in a store
that was missing the stylus with no luck. But couldn't really be sure
there wasn't some other problem with it. Check it out for finger
control and if it works, I can't see why you couldn't do this, as
it's otherwise a full-featured PC. Keep us posted on this one.

Ray Grott

>Hi,
>
>I am intrigued by the possibility of using a tablet PCs to run
>dynamic display communicator programs such as those by Words+ and
>Dynavox. Has anybody had any experience in this matter?
>
>Thanks
>
>Mark
>--
>
>
>
>Mark I. Bresler MBME, PE, President
>Trudy Posner, MS, OT/L, Director of Product Services
>Southwest Assistive Technology Inc.
>PO Box 639
>West Haverstraw, NY 10993
>(888) 388-SWAT
>(845) 947-0377 voice
>email: sales@swattech.com
>website: http://www.swattech.com
>
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>RESNAre-psg-unsubscribe@egroups.com
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/


--

Hello Glenn,

I participated in the Salary Survey that was conducted in May, but I was
unable to attend the RESNA conference in Atlanta.  Are there any published
results or a place where I can access the results.

Kevin

************************************************************
Kevin Daugherty
Rehabilitation Engineer, ATEC/Goodwill Industries of Orange County
Telephone: 714-547-6301 ext. 337

Kevin Daugherty would like to recall the message, "RE / RET Salary Survey
2003 Results".

Attached please find a pdf version of the RE-PSG preliminary salary
survey results.  These were shown at the Conference in Atlanta, and I
will do a paper for the Conference in 2004.

Sorry, I have not gotten to this sooner.  I had a bad case of pennant
fever, but that's over now.

All salary figures were converted to the equivalent in Austin, TX.
To convert your salary to Austin, you do not need to go there, just
go to

http://www.homefair.com/homefair/cmr/salcalc.html

Note that the bar graphs are sometimes not on the same page as the data.

e with any questions.

GH

--
Glenn Hedman, PE, ATP, RET
Assistive Technology Unit
Department of Disability and Human Development
University of Illinois at Chicago

Thank you for supplying us with this useful raw data.  Can you send to us a
copy of your report to be given at the 2004 RESNA Conference?  Having your
perspective analysis of the data will be quite valuable.  Thank you.

Andrew Szeto

At 11:47 AM 10/17/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>Attached please find a pdf version of the RE-PSG preliminary salary
>survey results.  These were shown at the Conference in Atlanta, and I
>will do a paper for the Conference in 2004.
>
>Sorry, I have not gotten to this sooner.  I had a bad case of pennant
>fever, but that's over now.
>
>All salary figures were converted to the equivalent in Austin, TX.
>To convert your salary to Austin, you do not need to go there, just
>go to
>
>http://www.homefair.com/homefair/cmr/salcalc.html
>
>Note that the bar graphs are sometimes not on the same page as the data.
>
>e with any questions.
>
>GH
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>RESNAre-psg-unsubscribe@egroups.com
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>--
>Glenn Hedman, PE, ATP, RET
>Assistive Technology Unit
>Department of Disability and Human Development
>University of Illinois at Chicago

Andrew Y.J. Szeto, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor & IEEE Fellow
Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive  (M/C 1309)
San Diego, CA. 92182-1309
(619) 594-5723 / FAX  594-2654

FAQ HELP:

Dear Engineers,

What is the current practice on Rehab Engineers posting billable time?

Your responses will provide useful knowledge to the field at large.

Thanks, Shannon

-----Original Message-----
From: Nancy Ranalli [mailto:ncr@nc.esdel.org]
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2003 11:37 AM
To: Shannon Marullo
Subject: Rehab Engineering Services


Shannon -

I am hoping you may be able to help me out.  I have recently become the
Director of Assistive Technology Services for Easter Seals in Delaware.  We
currently employ two rehab engineers who are primarily involved in our
Assistive Technology Resource Centers, which is non-billable time.  We are
working to grow this new service line, AT, and I want to make sure that we
get compensated for services which our RE provide, which may be billable.
Does RESNA have a listing of those services, or a good resource for getting
that information?

For instance, our RE are involved in seating evaluations with a PT.  Are
there instances when this time could be billable?  Also, we are looking at
possibly providing evaluations for home modifications.  If the RE does that
assessment, is that time billable?  Does it vary by payer, i.e. Medicare vs.
Medicaid vs. a commercial insurance?  Do some states require licensure (we
provide services in Delaware and in Maryland).

I appreciate your time, and any help you may be able to provide.

Sincerely,

Nancy Ranalli, P.T.
Director of AT Servcies
Easter Seals
Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore

Shannon,

Options for billing for RE/RET services vary at the state and local levels,
and on what market(s) an organization serves.  They also depend on whether
the "rehab engineers" are licensed as PEs, and bill as such (which i doubt).
The "current practice on Rehab Engineers posting billable time" is a
case-by-case issue at this time.  With advent of a new CPT billing code,
coupled with efforts being organized by this psg, we hope to provide
insurance and other third-party payors with data and info needed to support
RE/RET services reimbursement down the line.  Right now, it's pretty much
'get it where you can'.

I will contact this person directly to see if I can help her sort out
options.

-----Original Message-----
From: Shannon Marullo [mailto:smarullo@resna.org]
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 10:54 AM
To: 'RESNAre-psg@yahoogroups.com'
Subject: [RESNAre-psg] FW: Rehab Engineering Services


FAQ HELP:

Dear Engineers,

What is the current practice on Rehab Engineers posting billable time?

Your responses will provide useful knowledge to the field at large.

Thanks, Shannon

-----Original Message-----
From: Nancy Ranalli [mailto:ncr@nc.esdel.org]
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2003 11:37 AM
To: Shannon Marullo
Subject: Rehab Engineering Services


Shannon -

I am hoping you may be able to help me out.  I have recently become the
Director of Assistive Technology Services for Easter Seals in Delaware.  We
currently employ two rehab engineers who are primarily involved in our
Assistive Technology Resource Centers, which is non-billable time.  We are
working to grow this new service line, AT, and I want to make sure that we
get compensated for services which our RE provide, which may be billable.
Does RESNA have a listing of those services, or a good resource for getting
that information?

For instance, our RE are involved in seating evaluations with a PT.  Are
there instances when this time could be billable?  Also, we are looking at
possibly providing evaluations for home modifications.  If the RE does that
assessment, is that time billable?  Does it vary by payer, i.e. Medicare vs.
Medicaid vs. a commercial insurance?  Do some states require licensure (we
provide services in Delaware and in Maryland).

I appreciate your time, and any help you may be able to provide.

Sincerely,

Nancy Ranalli, P.T.
Director of AT Servcies
Easter Seals
Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore


To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
RESNAre-psg-unsubscribe@egroups.com



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DISCLAIMER: This email contains confidential information belonging to Helen
Hayes Hospital that is legally privileged.  This information is intended
only for the use of the individual entity named above.  The authorized
recipient of this information is prohibited from disclosing this information
to any unauthorized party.  If you are not the intended recipient, you are
hereby notified that disclosure, copying, distribution, or action taken in
reliance on the contents of these documents is strictly prohibited.  If you
have received this email in error, please notify the sender immediately to
arrange for return of this email.

Thank you, Greg.
Shannon

-----Original Message-----
From: McGrew, Greg [mailto:mcgrewg@helenhayeshosp.org]
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 10:13 AM
To: 'RESNAre-psg@yahoogroups.com'
Subject: RE: [RESNAre-psg] FW: Rehab Engineering Services


Shannon,

Options for billing for RE/RET services vary at the state and local levels,
and on what market(s) an organization serves.  They also depend on whether
the "rehab engineers" are licensed as PEs, and bill as such (which i doubt).
The "current practice on Rehab Engineers posting billable time" is a
case-by-case issue at this time.  With advent of a new CPT billing code,
coupled with efforts being organized by this psg, we hope to provide
insurance and other third-party payors with data and info needed to support
RE/RET services reimbursement down the line.  Right now, it's pretty much
'get it where you can'.

I will contact this person directly to see if I can help her sort out
options.

-----Original Message-----
From: Shannon Marullo [mailto:smarullo@resna.org]
Sent: Friday, October 24, 2003 10:54 AM
To: 'RESNAre-psg@yahoogroups.com'
Subject: [RESNAre-psg] FW: Rehab Engineering Services


FAQ HELP:

Dear Engineers,

What is the current practice on Rehab Engineers posting billable time?

Your responses will provide useful knowledge to the field at large.

Thanks, Shannon

-----Original Message-----
From: Nancy Ranalli [mailto:ncr@nc.esdel.org]
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2003 11:37 AM
To: Shannon Marullo
Subject: Rehab Engineering Services


Shannon -

I am hoping you may be able to help me out.  I have recently become the
Director of Assistive Technology Services for Easter Seals in Delaware.  We
currently employ two rehab engineers who are primarily involved in our
Assistive Technology Resource Centers, which is non-billable time.  We are
working to grow this new service line, AT, and I want to make sure that we
get compensated for services which our RE provide, which may be billable.
Does RESNA have a listing of those services, or a good resource for getting
that information?

For instance, our RE are involved in seating evaluations with a PT.  Are
there instances when this time could be billable?  Also, we are looking at
possibly providing evaluations for home modifications.  If the RE does that
assessment, is that time billable?  Does it vary by payer, i.e. Medicare vs.
Medicaid vs. a commercial insurance?  Do some states require licensure (we
provide services in Delaware and in Maryland).

I appreciate your time, and any help you may be able to provide.

Sincerely,

Nancy Ranalli, P.T.
Director of AT Servcies
Easter Seals
Delaware and Maryland's Eastern Shore


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only for the use of the individual entity named above.  The authorized
recipient of this information is prohibited from disclosing this information
to any unauthorized party.  If you are not the intended recipient, you are
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Hi Shannon,
Like Greg said, we hope that a lot will be changing with RESNA et al's
efforts to establish and validate new CPT codes for assessment and other
services.  In our state's VR agency, we pay individual engineers a fixed
rate of $450 per assessment plus $25 per hour travel time.  I believe
LaTech University's Center for Biomedical Engineering charges about $100
per hour for their engineers' time in private assessment (we don't have
good estimates of their costs to provide assessments under our VR
contract, but my VERY rough estimate is somewhere between $1200-$1500
per assessment).  When I'm practicing privately, I charge between $80
and $120 per hour (depending on the client's income).  Keep in mind that
these assessment fees include the assessment time, research and report
writing time, and at least one follow-up visit for fitting and/or
initial instruction.  This may not be quite what you wanted to know, but
it's the best I can offer right now.  Good luck with your survey, and do
please post the results on the RESNAre-psg@yahoogroups.com listserv.
Regards,
Craig

Craig Wadsworth, ATP, PE
Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
8225 Florida Boulevard
Baton Rouge LA 70806
225-925-4131, FAX -4481
cwadswor@dss.state.la.us

Wadsworth and Associates
3621 Marigny Street
New Orleans LA 70122
504-450-0660
craigtwadsworth@cs.com
-------------------------------------------
    Date: Fri, 24 Oct 2003 10:54:14 -0400
    From: Shannon Marullo <smarullo@resna.org>
Subject: FW: Rehab Engineering Services

FAQ HELP:

Dear Engineers,

What is the current practice on Rehab Engineers posting billable time?

Your responses will provide useful knowledge to the field at large.

Thanks, Shannon

Please see attached.

>>> andrew.szeto@sdsu.edu 10/07/03 11:43AM >>>
I would like a written copy of your findings on comparing head
controllers.  My mailing address is given below.  Thanks so much.

Andrew Szeto

At 09:25 AM 10/7/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>Mary Peterson and I have been comparing the 8 Electronic Head
Controlled
>Mice (Head Master Plus, Head Mouse, Head Way, Miracle Mouse, Tracer,
>Tracker 2000, Tracker One, Smart Nav) that we have found on the
market.
> >From our tests, the Tracker is somewhat better at light control, but
if
>you really want to get rid of the light problem, you might want to
>consider another technology. For example, the Head Master Plus uses
>ultrasonic sound, the Head Way uses tilt sensing, and the Tracer uses
>gyropoint technology. These of course have other pros and cons; the
main
>con being some sort of head gear (like a headphone, headband, visor
>respectively).
>
>I'm currently working on handouts for a presentation at the Closing
the
>Gap conference. Let me know if you would like a copy.
>
>
>Patti Bahr
>Gillette Technology Center
>550 County Rd. D, Suite 12
>New Brighton, MN 55112
>651 634 1911 (voice)
>651 628 4484 (fax)
>
> >>> rgrott@sfsu.edu 10/06/03 05:11PM >>>
>Hi all,
>I'm in the process of replacing someone's head mouse which is used to
>access communication software on a laptop. We're moving his Origin
>HeadMouse over to his desktop for various reasons, including that
>he's had trouble with it outdoors,  so we want to stay with a
>reflective dot. Madentec claims the Tracker has been improved for
>working in sunlight but I was wondering what peoples' experience has
>been with this or other products "out in the field"?
>
>Thanks,
>Ray Grott
>--
>
>------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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>
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>http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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>
>
>
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Andrew Y.J. Szeto, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor & IEEE Fellow
Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive  (M/C 1309)
San Diego, CA. 92182-1309
(619) 594-5723 / FAX  594-2654


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Thank you very much.

Andrew Szeto

At 02:39 PM 12/9/2003 -0600, you wrote:
>Mary Peterson and I have been comparing the 8 Electronic Head
>Controlled
> >Mice (Head Master Plus, Head Mouse, Head Way, Miracle Mouse, Tracer,
> >Tracker 2000, Tracker One, Smart Nav) that we have found on the
>market.
> > >From our tests, the Tracker is somewhat better at light control, but
>if
> >you really want to get rid of the light problem, you might want to
> >consider another technology. For example, the Head Master Plus uses
> >ultrasonic sound, the Head Way uses tilt sensing, and the Tracer uses
> >gyropoint technology. These of course have other pros and cons; the
>main
> >con being some sort of head gear (like a headphone, headband, visor
> >respectively).
> >
> >I'm currently working on handouts for a presentation at the Closing
>the
> >Gap conference. Let me know if you would like a copy.
> >
> >
> >Patti Bahr
> >Gillette Technology Center
> >550 County Rd. D, Suite 12
> >New Brighton, MN 55112
> >651 634 1911 (voice)
> >651 628 4484 (fax)

Andrew Y.J. Szeto, Ph.D., P.E.
Professor & IEEE Fellow
Dept. of Electrical & Computer Engineering
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive  (M/C 1309)
San Diego, CA. 92182-1309
(619) 594-5723 / FAX  594-2654

Has anyone heard anything new about the Rehab Engineering Technologist
code?


Patti Bahr
Gillette Technology Center
550 County Rd. D, Suite 12
New Brighton, MN 55112
651 634 1911 (voice)
651 628 4484 (fax)

Hi Jean,

I assume that this code is valid for RET's or is it only for PT's and OT's?

Marvin Williams

>Message: 1
>   Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 20:52:51 EST
>   From: jminkel@aol.com
>Subject: Re: Is the code out?
>
>Patti and All,
>
>The 2004 CPT code manual had been published.  On page 396 - Under Physical
>Medicine and Rehabilitation - Tests and Measures Section is a new code.
>
>Code 97755 Assistive Technology Assessment.
>
>This is the code RESNA advocated for with AOTA and APTA.
>
>This code should be used during ASSESSMENT only.  Once the assessment is
>complete the treatment plan should be developed a use other codes - for example
>97537 - Community and Work reintegration
>97353 - Self care/ home management
>97542 - wheelchair management and propulsion, etc.
>
>Hope this helps and I encourage all who are interested to purchase or get a
>look at the 2004 CPT Manual.
>
>Jean Minkel
>
>
>[This message contained attachments]
>
>
>
>________________________________________________________________________
>________________________________________________________________________
>
>
>
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>To visit your group on the web, go to:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RESNAre-psg/
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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>
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> http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
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>
>
>
>

I was just having a conversation yesterday asking for whom Assistive Tech
assessment/treatment billing is valid.  RET? ATP? COTA? SLP? With or without
OT/PT co-signature?

Michael Moats
UCP of Greater Cleveland Inc.
http://www.ucpcleveland.org


> -----Original Message-----
> From: M.Williams [mailto:rockgeiger007@netscape.net]
> Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 9:25 AM
> To: RESNAre-psg@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [RESNAre-psg] Re: Is the code out?
>
>
>
>
> Hi Jean,
>
> I assume that this code is valid for RET's or is it only for PT's
> and OT's?
>
> Marvin Williams
>
> >Message: 1
> >   Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2004 20:52:51 EST
> >   From: jminkel@aol.com
> >Subject: Re: Is the code out?
> >
> >Patti and All,
> >
> >The 2004 CPT code manual had been published.  On page 396 -
> Under Physical
> >Medicine and Rehabilitation - Tests and Measures Section is a new code.
> >
> >Code 97755 Assistive Technology Assessment.
> >
> >This is the code RESNA advocated for with AOTA and APTA.
> >
> >This code should be used during ASSESSMENT only.  Once the assessment is
> >complete the treatment plan should be developed a use other
> codes - for example
> >97537 - Community and Work reintegration
> >97353 - Self care/ home management
> >97542 - wheelchair management and propulsion, etc.
> >
> >Hope this helps and I encourage all who are interested to
> purchase or get a
> >look at the 2004 CPT Manual.
> >
> >Jean Minkel
> >
> >
> >[This message contained attachments]
> >
> >
> >
> >________________________________________________________________________
> >________________________________________________________________________
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >Yahoo! Groups Links
> >
> >To visit your group on the web, go to:
> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RESNAre-psg/
> >
> >To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > RESNAre-psg-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> >Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
> > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
> >------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> To visit your group on the web, go to:
>  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/RESNAre-psg/
>
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>  RESNAre-psg-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
>  http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>

Jean,
What is the process for becoming a "recognized Health Care Provider"
for Medicare? Isn't this was we really need?


Patti Bahr
Gillette Lifetime Specialty Healthcare
550 County Rd. D, Suite 12
New Brighton, MN 55112
651 634 1911 (voice)
651 628 4484 (fax)

>>> jminkel@aol.com 1/25/2004 7:19:23 PM >>>
Hello to all,

I received many inquiries about who can bill using the new AT
Assessment code.

A little background is needed to accurately answer this question. CPT
Codes
(Common Procedure Terminology) are owned by the AMA.  The purpose of
the codes
are strictly to uniformly describe procedures which are agreed to by
the AMA
as being current and necessary.  The codes describe procedures and do
not
define who can or can not charge to a described procedure.

Many payers - most importantly - Medicare - have "adopted" most of the
CPT
codes to define the services they will reimburse a provider for once
billed.
Payers are the ones who define who can bill (and get paid).  Medicare,
as the
example, will ONLY reimburse the service of a "recognized Health Care
Provider"
(i.e., OT, PT SLP,MD, RN, etc.).

At this moment, Medicare does not recognize Rehabilitation Engineers as

Health Care providers.  Thus Medicare, specifically, will not reimburse
an RE for
even "coded services."  HOWEVER, many other 3rd party payers also use
CPT codes
and may reimburse a professional for services rendered, even if
Medicare does
not.  In some states, the Voc. Rehab. agency is using CPT codes to
define
selected 'cover services" and are often paying engineers for these
services.

My best advice is to meet with your billing people - alert them to the
new
code.  Ask to meet with your frequently billed 3rd party payers
(private
insurance plans, Medicaid offices, voc and or Educational systems) and
determine
their "policy" for reimbursement using the new code.

Now for the Advertisement  - come to the RESNA Instructional Program
being
given by Barb Levy and myself in June in Orlando to ALL the ins and
outs of
coding and the NECESSARY documentation needed to support your billing.

Hope this helps,
Jean

hi all -

we are in the process of figuring out what we need to do "enroll" as
recognized health care providers.  a part of this process is to document
successful billing of the cpt code with non-medicare funders.  this
could be medicaid, voc rehab, schools, worker's comp, ILC's, medical
insurance, etc.   if you are currently successfully billing for re/at
services please contact me directly at kevin.caves@duke.edu.

over the next few weeks i hope to provide you all with move complete
information on the plan and process.  additionally, we hope to develop
some education materials to help you use these codes.  now would be a
good time to speak with your billing people about how your services are
reimbursed so that we can have the info we need to move forward.

if you are knowledgeable about this or want to become knowledgeable, we
could use some help.  please contact me offline.

thanks - kevin

hi all -

attached are minutes from the RE-psg meeting in orlando.  there are lots
of place for you to get involved in moving our profession forward.
please take the time to read the minutes and get involved.

thanks - kevin

Kevin,

is it ok to post the minutes on the RE-PSG website?

Dave

thanks to todd "usb-boy" schwanke for noting my error:

the sunset period relating to the educational requirements to sit for
the RET ends december 31, 2005.  for more information please check out:

http://www.resna.org/PracInAT/CertifiedPractice/GettingCertificate/RETtext.html

kevin