How the Supreme Court Ruling on Healthcare Reform Affects PAs

July 19th, 2012 0 Min read How the Supreme Court Ruling on Healthcare Reform Affects PAs Blog
On June 28, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), ruling that Congress acted within its constitutional authority when enacting the individual mandate. Given that the healthcare reform law was upheld, all aspects of the law that have already been implemented will remain in effect. For practicing PAs this means being:
  • Recognized as one of three primary healthcare professionals in the U.S.
  • Valued as a vital and growing component of the nation's healthcare workforce as medical practices and healthcare systems seek increased cost efficiency, while maintaining high quality health care delivery of services.
  • Eligible for a 10 percent bonus for primary care codes through Medicare.
  • Allowed to order skilled nursing facility care for Medicare patients.
  • Embraced as a favored healthcare professional in patient-centered, primary care medical homes, Independence at Home models of care, chronic care management, and other new models of care designed to better coordinate care through team-based practice designed to promote value within the healthcare delivery system
 

Author

Lisa Shock

Lisa Shock

Lisa P. Shock, MHS, PA-C, is a seasoned PA who is the President and CEO of Utilization Solutions in Healthcare – a specialty consultant company for physician practices and hospitals, offering a wide range of services to help implement and improve upon the utilization of PAs and NPs in the health care system. Contact her at lisa@pushpa.biz

See all articles from this author