RT vs. RPSGT

For Medicare, do you HAVE to be a RT to do a CPAP set up? If so, can someone point me to the CMS manuals where it shows that?

There is no requirement from Medicare that I know of. However with that said, every region can and does set their own rules. There are also state Respiratory laws which limit who can setup cpap/bipap in some states.

AKCPAPGUY

My DME sales rep is not an RT.

amos

I don't have the link, but I can find it.

Medicare basically says that a DME has to abide by American Association of Respiratory Care's guidelines, which are national. The guidelines state that only a licensed therapist can set-up & adjust CPAPs, oxygen, and other therapies; however, there are loopholes......members of families can do the care themselves after being instructed, and other professions that are trained and covered by their state licensures. Also, most equipment techs (after being trained) with homecare companies can setup oxygen, nebs, and other basics. There cannot though education on disease process, benefits/side effects, or prescriptions.

It basically comes down to each state as far as what actually is allowed.

My company recently went thru the accrediation process required for medicare. It is required that you be a licenced clinician in the state you are practicing. This includes, LPN, RN, CRT, RRT. This is only for the person that is setting up the equipment, educating the patient and fitting patient with masks. This has nothing to do with a sales rep, a sales rep can be anybody that you hire. Laura RRT

The DME companies in Florida are having the truck drivers that set up hospital beds etc deliver and set up CPAP, Bi Pap's now. They say they are not allowed to touch them with the mask, so it is OK, but they do any how, the drivers are mad and very uncomfortable with this process. How can we stop it? They laid off all the full time RT's to avoid providing benefits and cut the budget. Patients are coming back for help and compliance is dropping.

--and I've noticed how many companies from Florida seem to be on the competitive bid lists.
I wonder how many are the same company--under different names.
Customer service?

You guys aren't alone, I've been a Respiratory Therapist for the last 20 years, at the state of "Miami", truck drivers, or anybody with 2 hours of training are setting up Cpap, Bipap and ventilators. Its funny how lately the AARC and the FSRC is pushing for all respiratory therapist for a higher education (Bachelors), but in reality they don't CARE about us or to fight for us. Have you seen them in congress, "doing what" ? We go to school for an Associate in respiratory care, get loans, spend days learning away form our family and I don't see anybody addressing this issue. I Still see Respiratory Therapist teaching LPN, CNA and truck drivers or anybody that walks through the door, If Respiratory therapist keep teach anybody what we know, we will be left without a JOB in the future.

Move to Florida for the Weather and Easy Living, stay for the Medical End Game. Jim

I get the impression that many DME's have a licensed person of some sort who theoretically does the setup for each machine, but someone else may actually deal with the patient. The patient may never actually see or talk to the licensed person. One might suspect that the licensed person doesn't actually touch the machine in some cases. The licensed person may even set the machine up and then ship it to the location that dispenses it. Heck, they may even do it through the wireless connection or SD card and never touch the machine.

Of course, everyone will have a different idea of what's legal, what's permitted by insurance, by state, and what actually happens. Look at how many people say "it's illegal to change your own pressure."