[AMP-L] Barr Foundation's Weekly Salute to Director Herb Kuhn Of Medicare CMS Management

[Tony Barr]

This week's tribute goes to Herb B.Kuhn /Director of Medicare management at
CMS.

The "qualified provider" rules that were supposed to be implemented in all
states by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) starting on
July 1 will now only be implemented in states that have O&P licensure.

More information is available at

http://www.oandp.com/edge/issues/articles/NEWS_2005-06-28_02.asp

The " O&P profession" of providing comprehensive orthotic and prosthetic
services is the only health care provider today whom does not require a
state license in every state in this country. The products have no price
controls and has led to many of the disabled requiring them and their third
party payers being unable to afford creates  a considerable financial drain
on the patient and/or the payer..

Currently  only 11 of 50 states are regulated in O&P and generally,  any
supplier or person whom has a provider number, can provide O&P services  and
receive reimbursement from Medicare/Medicaid .

This O&P industry is in control of the profession and the disabled who
require their products and services.

Requiring that all providers, suppliers and practitioners , have a state
license is a crucial step in achieving properly trained services and
accountability.

Your decision, if made permanent, will help motivate providers to seek
out,support and enact regulation in the field of O&P in their perspective
states..

Anthony T. Barr
Barr Foundation
www.oandp.com/barr
561-394-6514