Representative Introduces Bill to Relax Physician Supervision Requirements - October 19, 2010

US Representative Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) has introduced a bill (H.R. 6376) that would relax physician supervision requirements applicable to therapeutic outpatient services. Under current law, direct supervision is required. The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services proposed only modest changes in the 2011 outpatient prospective payment system proposed rule, which would allow general supervision for a limited set of “nonsurgical extended duration therapeutic services.” H.R. 6376 would establish general supervision as the default for therapeutic outpatient services. Only a limited set of high-risk or complex medical services would be subject to the more stringent direct supervision requirement. The Secretary of Health and Human Services would be required to establish a process for designating high-risk or complex medical services, with input from a panel of outside experts. It is not clear whether the House will take up this measure during the upcoming “lame duck” session, after the election.