Neurosurgery Objects to CMS Rehabilitation Services Proposal

On June 11, the AANS and the CNS joined more than 100 specialty societies and institutions in sending a letter to CMS objecting to a provision included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility (IRF) Prospective Payment System (PPS) proposed rule. Specifically, if adopted, the rule would allow the use of non-physician practitioners to perform the IRF services and documentation services currently required to be performed by rehabilitation physicians. The groups expressed concern that the proposal will undermine the delivery of and access to physician-led team-based care in the IRF setting. The AANS and the CNS agreed that the change would establish a dangerous precedent for removing physician supervision requirements across all health care settings.