Equitable Reimbursement

Victory! Victory! Victory! ACNM is pleased that certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) have achieved equitable reimbursement for their services under Medicare. As of January 1, 2011, the CNM reimbursement rate will increase from 65% to 100% of the Medicare Part B fee schedule. This long-awaited provision is part of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) signed into law on March 23, 2010, by President Barack Obama.

Rep. Al Franken (D-MN) & Brielle Stoyke, CNM

ACNM wishes to thank all the midwives from across the nation that called, wrote, and emailed their members of Congress to support equitable reimbursement for midwives. This victory is yours!!!

Background

On February 13, 2009, Rep. Ed Towns (D-NY) and Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI) reintroduced legislation to address the inequitable reimbursement rate for CNMs under Medicare and to establish the ability for CMs to bill for their services under the Medicare program (HR 1101).  The Senate bill, S 662, was introduced to the Senate on, March 19. This bill includes the same content as the House bill, HR 1101, which provides for equitable reimbursement for CNMs and CMs under Medicare.

Midwifery equity was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in August of 2007 as part of Children’s Health and Medicare Protection Act. Despite considerable support in the Senate, this provision was not enacted. 

Resource Library in Support of Reimbursement Equity for Midwives

• Medicare Payment Position Paper, 111th Congress
• HR 1101
• ACOG Endorses Full Equity for CNM and CM Reimbursement under Medicare
• Letters of Support for Equitable Reimbursement for CNMs and CMs under Medicare
  • American Nurses Association (ANA)
    • HR 1101
    • S 662
  • National Perinatal Association (NPA)
    • HR 1101
    • S 662
• Talking Points
• Research/Data about Midwives to Share with Your Legislator
• Medicaid Reimbursement by State
• Q&A: Why CNMs Deserve 100% Under the Medicare Program (Members Only)
• Step-by-Step Guide to Calling Your Legislator
• YouTube Video - Calling Your Legislator
• Sample Letters
  • Letter of Support from Midwife
  • Letter of Support from Physician
  • Letter of Support from Midwifery Student
  • Letter of Support from RN
  • Letter of Support from Consumer/Patient of Childbearing Age
  • Letter of Support from Consumer/Patient over 65
    

For more information, contact the ACNM Government Affairs Committee representative for your state, or ACNM Federal Lobbyist Patrick Cooney at 202-347-0034 or patrick@federalgrp.com.

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