Reporting by Physicians Enrolled in Medicare

Physicians enrolled in Medicare are required to report to Medicare the following events as soon as possible, but not later than 30 days following the event:

Change in Practice Location: A change in practice locations including, but not limited to  a new practice location, moving an existing practice location, or closing an existing practice location must be reported.

Change in Final Adverse Action: A change including, but not limited to, debarment or exclusion by a federal or state health care program, medical licensure suspension or revocation by a licensing board, conviction of a felony in the last 10 years, or revocation of Medicare privileges must be reported.

Physicians enrolled in Medicare are required to report to Medicare the following events as soon as possible, but no later than 90 days following the event:

Change in Business Structure: A change in business structure, for example, from a sole proprietor to a corporation must be reported.

Change in Legal Business Name or Employer Identification Number: A change in a company legal business name or IRS Employer Identification Number must be reported.

Change in Practice Status: A change in practice status including, but not limited to, retirement or voluntarily withdrawal from Medicare must be reported.

There are other reportable events.  Failure to timely report a reportable event may jeopardize a physician’s participation in Medicare.

If you have a question concerning your responsibilities to report a particular event to Medicare, contact Todd Collis or Beth Collis.

Physicians: Pay Attention to Supervision Agreements

A supervision agreement must provide that the physician agrees to supervise the physician assistant and the physician assistant agrees to practice under that physician’s supervision.

A supervision agreement must provide that the supervising physician is legally responsible and assumes legal liability for the services provided by the physician assistant.

A supervision agreement must be signed by the physician and the physician assistant.

a. If a physician assistant will practice within a health care facility, the supervision agreement must include terms that require the physician assistant to practice in accordance with the policies of the health care facility; and/or

New Rules for Reporting Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation of Adults

On September 29, 2018, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) issued a new version of Rule 5101.63 that expands the list of individuals required to report suspected elder abuse. Now, any individuals licensed under Chapter 4731, those licensed to practice medicine and surgery, or Chapter 4723, registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, who have reasonable cause to believe that an adult is being abused, neglected or exploited shall immediately report such belief to their county JFS department, or they may face criminal charges.

The report can be oral, but the department may request a more formal, written report. Anyone who makes a report of abuse is immune from civil or criminal liability, unless they act in bad faith or with malicious purpose. ORC 5101.63(E) provides that an employer may not discharge, reduce benefits/work privileges, or take any other detrimental action against an employee for making a report of abuse.

You can download the related guides through JFS Forms Central (http://www.odjfs.state.oh.us/forms/) using these form numbers: JFS 08097 – Understanding Elder Abuse: A Guide for Medical Professionals and JFS 08098 – Understanding Elder Abuse: A Guide for Ohioans. ODJFS will develop training materials about identifying and reporting elder abuse.

The county JFS departments will be available to receive reports of abuse 24/7. If you have any questions about this new rule change, please contact Beth or Todd Collis at (614) 486-3909.