Transforming Healthcare Practice: Navigating Medicare Changes, Scope of Practice, and Workforce Strategies for APPs-Transforming Healthcare Practice: Navigating Medicare Changes, Scope of Practice, and Workforce Strategies for APPs

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Video Summary

The session focused on the evolving role of Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) in healthcare, particularly concerning Medicare changes, scope of practice, and workforce strategies. Madeline Oster, a nurse practitioner at Stanford, emphasized the importance of APPs in managing patients, especially with arrhythmias. The session aimed to highlight reimbursement opportunities and staff retention strategies.<br /><br />Erika Zato discussed 2024 Medicare rule changes for split-shared billing, impacting reimbursement, staffing, and APP-physician collaborations. She clarified that split/shared billing occurs when an APP and a physician both evaluate a patient on the same day. Billing depends on who provides the substantive portion of care, measured in time or medical decision-making. These changes apply primarily in facility settings and emphasize documentation.<br /><br />Lindsay Harris discussed the differences in APP scope of practice across the U.S., focusing mainly on nurse practitioners and physician associates. She argued for a collaborative approach to healthcare provision, where expanding scope of practice aligns with evidence-based care and enhances access to underserved areas. Harris underscored that APPs offer high-quality and cost-effective care without adversely affecting physician roles.<br /><br />Angela Sipperfall highlighted Stanford's APP Fellowship Program, which recruits and trains APPs for specialized fields like electrophysiology. Founded in 2016, this program ensures that APPs can practice independently and at the top of their licensure, offering a structured learning environment with didactic and practice-based elements.<br /><br />Overall, the session stressed the importance of advanced training and integration of APPs in healthcare to facilitate better patient care and tackle staffing shortages, advocating for APPs working at their full licensed capabilities while collaborating closely with physicians.

Keywords

Advanced Practice Providers

Medicare changes

scope of practice

workforce strategies

split-shared billing

APP-physician collaboration

Stanford APP Fellowship

nurse practitioners

physician associates

healthcare integration