News for Practitioners
Here are some articles that are currently in the news and of public interest.
CMS Provides Questions and Answers on the Testing Codes
by Government Relations Staff
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently posted on its Web site questions and answers (Q & As) that clarify how billing codes for psychological and neuropsychological testing should be used.
Learn More ...
The Drive Toward Health Information Technology: Where Are We Heading?
by Government Relations Staff
The federal government is driving the evolution toward widespread application of health information technology (HIT). Learn about HIT and where the U.S. health care system may be headed.
Learn More ...
APA's 2008 Convention: Practice-Related Program Highlights
by APA Practice Organization
If you're heading to Boston in August, check out this list of educational opportunities for practicing psychologists.
Learn More ...
House Passes Medicare Bill
by Government Relations Staff
June 24, 2008 --Today the House of Representatives passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331) by an overwhelming majority of 355-59, including all Democrats present and 129 Republicans.
Learn More ...
APA Contests Proposed AMA Resolution on Title Restriction
by Legal and Regulatory Affairs Staff
The American Psychological Association sent a letter on June 12th to the principal policy-making body of the American Medical Association (AMA) strongly opposing a proposed resolution to restrict the use of "doctor," "resident" and "residency" in medical settings to physicians, dentists, and podiatrists.
Learn More ...
Practice Marketing: Are You Using a Blog?
by Corporate Relations and Business Strategy Staff
Blogging is an easy, effective, low-cost way to market yourself online. But most psychologists aren't taking advantage of it.
Learn More ...
Guidance for Psychologists on International Disaster Response
by Public Relations Staff
Following the catastrophic earthquake in China and cyclone in Myanmar, APA members were eager to find out how they could help. The APA Statement on the Role of Psychologists in International Emergencies provides guidance to members who want to assist in the aftermath of disasters abroad.
Learn More ...
Senate Continues to Consider Medicare Payment Legislation
by Government Relations Staff
Thanks to APA Practice Organization advocacy, a provision to restore Medicare funding of psychological services was included in the Senate Finance Committee's Medicare bill that came up for a vote last week. However, on June 12 the Baucus-Snowe Medicare bill (S.3101) fell five votes short of the number necessary for consideration on the Senate floor.
Learn More ...
House Testimony on VA Issues Includes APA Official
by APA Practice Organization Communications Staff
Randy Phelps, PhD, deputy executive director of the APA Practice Directorate, recently testified before the House Veterans' Affairs (VA) Health Subcommittee on recruitment and retention of psychologists in the VA system.
Learn More ...
Voice Awards Honor Realistic Media Portrayals
by Public Relations Staff
Among its public education efforts, the APA serves as a partner for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Voice Awards. The May 2008 awards ceremony honored accurate and realistic media portrayals of persons with mental health disorders.
Learn More ...
The APA Parenting Coordination Pre-Convention Institute
by Communication Staff
On August 13, 2008, the APA Practice Directorate is conducting a pre-APA Convention institute, "Parenting Coordination: Practice, Research, and Public Policy Issues." Topics include practice and ethical issues, as well as risk management, for psychologists who function as parenting coordinators. This institute immediately precedes the APA Convention, August 14-17, in Boston.
Learn More ...
APA/VA Psychology Leadership Conference Draws Record Turnout
by Communications Staff
More than 160 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) psychology leaders met in April to focus on psychology's role in integrated mental health and behavioral health care in the VA health care system.
Learn More ...
A Matter of Law: Know the Stakes Before Signing Any Solicitation
by Legal and Regulatory Affairs
An APA member recently received a well-disguised solicitation to join a provider network. If the psychologist had signed the document, the consequences could have been substantial.
Learn More ...
APA Practice Organization Joins Coalitions on Health Care Reform
by Government Relations Staff
APAPO has joined two coalitions, Divided We Fail and Health Care First, in preparation for playing a leadership role in health care reform.
Learn More ...
Practice Directorate Contests Medicare Payment Limits
by Government Relations Staff
Psychologists may find that certain claims for health and behavior services as well as testing services routinely paid by Medicare in past years are now being denied. The Practice Directorate is advocating for the National Correct Coding Initiative to remove new payment limits.
Learn More ...
Greetings to My Practitioner Colleagues
by Katherine Nordal, PhD
The new APA Executive Director for Professional Practice, Katherine Nordal, PhD, introduced herself to practitioner colleagues in her inaugural column for APA's Monitor on Psychology.
Learn More ...
APA Testifies on Care of Veterans and Returning Service Members
by APA Practice Organization Communications Staff
Randy Phelps, PhD, deputy executive director of the APA Practice Directorate, testified on April 9 before the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs about efforts to recruit and retain psychologists in the VA health care system and related APA initiatives.
Learn More ...
Is Your Medicare Carrier Changing?
by Government Relations Staff
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has begun to shift away from using separate regional carriers for Part A and Part B claims processing. As a result, psychologists may find their claims, provider relations and local coverage policies handled by a new company.
Learn More ...
Ready or Not? NPI Deadline is May 23
by Communications Staff
If you are not using your National Provider Identifier number (NPI) by May 23, 2008, you risk having your claims rejected by all health insurers with which you do business. And if you are a "covered entity" under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), you may be subject to penalties of $100 to $25,000 per violation.
Learn More ...
New Practice Directorate Executive Director Thanks Senators
by Communications Staff
APA Executive Director for Professional Practice Katherine Nordal, PhD, joined members of Congress and several hundred other advocates for strong mental health legislation in honoring Senators Domenici and Kennedy.
Learn More ...
| « Prev 20 | Next 20 » |
