What is the Physicians Role in Medicare Funding of AAC Devices?
The physician is a necessary part of the Medicare claims process. No Medicare payment will be made for an AAC device, AAC software, or accessory without a physician’s prescription. Medicare has not required that any particular physician prepare the prescription. Thus, Medicare beneficiaries with multiple physicians can have any one be the one to sign the prescription. The key will be the existence of a physician-patient relationship, but not particular training or expertise on the part of the doctor. It is expected that the doctor will base the prescription on the SLP report. Thus, the SLP report that is prepared following the evaluation should be submitted to the doctor for review. It is recommended that the doctor be asked to prepare the prescription with the following information included: a) The physical and communication diagnosis; b) That the doctor referred the pt for SLP evaluation (if that occurred) c) That the doctor reviewed the SLP report; d) That the doctor concurs in the
