Presidential order could revive turf war over Medicare requirement for physician supervision
by Joanne Finnegan | Oct 31, 2019
An executive order signed earlier this month by President Donald Trump calls for changes in Medicare regulations that limit healthcare professionals from practicing at the top of their profession.
The order could add fuel to the ongoing turf war between physicians and non-physician practitioners over whether they should be allowed to practice independently without doctor supervision.
The doctors have already gone on record, sending a letter (PDF) this week urging Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar not to make changes to requirements for the supervision and reimbursement of non-physician medical professionals.
The letter was signed by the American Medical Association, the country’s largest physician organization, and more than 100 other groups that represent hundreds of thousands of physicians.
