AudiologyOnline Phone: 800-753-2160


Phonak Infinio - Unlock a world of possibilities

Medicare Billing with Au.D. Students

Robert C. Fifer, PhD

January 25, 2010

Share:

Question

I am supervising a 4th year Au.D. student, but sometimes have to travel to different office locations. During these times, other audiologists in my office supervise the student. When the student performs testing under the supervision of my colleagues, should we bill under whomever is supervising the student while the testing is being conducted, or should we always bill under me, since I am the supervisor on record with the university?

Answer

Medicare has the attitude that it is paying the licensed audiologist for the service and not the student. It will let the student participate in the service but with 100% over-the-shoulder supervision with the audiologist making the clinical decisions and guiding the student. The billing would go out under the NPI of the supervising audiologist because, technically, he/she is the person who actually saw the patient. The documentation can have the student's name on the report, but that is optional. The critical name on the report will be the supervising audiologist under whose NPI the billing goes out. If you are not present in the office when the patient is seen, the billing and documentation must not be in your name. That would be considered fraudulent because you did not see the patient but billed for the service.

You will need to inform and coordinate with the student's home university that there will be other supervisors as part of the student's training experience.

Robert C. Fifer, Ph.D. is currently the Director of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology at the Mailman Center for Child Development, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami School of Medicine. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in Speech-Language Pathology with a minor in Deaf Education. His M.A. degree is from Central Michigan University in Audiology. And his Ph.D. degree is from Baylor College of Medicine in Audiology and Bioacoustics. Dr. Fifer's clinical and research interests focus on the areas of auditory evoked potentials, central auditory processing, early detection of hearing loss in children, and auditory anatomy and physiology. He is the immediate Past-President of the Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists, a member of ASHA's Health Care Economics Committee, and the ASHA representative to the American Medical Association's Health Care Professions Advisory Committee for the Relative Value Utilization Committee in addition to being ASHA's representative to the AMA's Practice Expense Advisory Committee. Additional responsibilities at the state level include serving as a consultant to the Florida Department of Health's Children's Medical Services and the audiology representative to the Genetics and Newborn Screening Advisory Council.


robert c fifer

Robert C. Fifer, PhD

Director of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology at the Mailman Center for Child Development at the University of Miami

Robert C. Fifer, Ph.D. is Director of Audiology and Speech Language Pathology at the Mailman Center for Child Development at the University of Miami.  Dr. Fifer represents ASHA on the AQC. 


Related Courses

Labyrinthine Reimbursement for Hearing Aids: Navigating the Puzzle
Presented by Robert C. Fifer, PhD
Recorded Webinar
AudiologyOnline

Presenter

Robert C. Fifer, PhD
Course: #34378Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'Great information'   Read Reviews
This course will discuss factors affecting hearing aid reimbursement including the influence of insurances/HMOs, government regulations and corporate structures. Pro's and con's of billing models will also be discussed.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Understanding Privilege, for Healthcare Professionals
Presented by Esther Clervaud, EdS
Recorded Webinar
AudiologyOnline

Presenter

Esther Clervaud, EdS
Course: #36096Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'Instructor and information presented should make work places better for everyone'   Read Reviews
Systems of privilege have created a wide division of inequality. This course will help hearing care professionals identify their privilege and determine how to make a difference in their places of employment.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Creating Leadership in Audiology Through a Mentoring Circle
Presented by Natalie Phillips, AuD
Recorded Webinar
AudiologyOnline

Presenter

Natalie Phillips, AuD
Course: #37632Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'I had no idea the value of a mentor in audiology!'   Read Reviews
There are so many components to quality patient care that it is challenging to “master” them all. What if you could come together with other professionals who possess knowledge or experience that could help you or your practice? There are a number of veteran audiologists as well as rising professionals who have wisdom, qualifications, narratives, and unique journeys to share. The purpose of this talk is to rethink the traditional mentor/mentee vertical relationship and explore collaboration in the form of circle…where all professionals, regardless of age or experience, learn from each other.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Using Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) to Improve Patient-Clinician Communication and Enhance Treatment Efficacy
Presented by Carren Stika, PhD
Recorded Webinar
ReSound

Presenter

Carren Stika, PhD
Course: #35841Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'Good refresher'   Read Reviews
Due to the recent increased focus on providing patient-centered healthcare, use of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have become an essential component of assessing whether the services provided improved patients’ health and sense of well-being. This course will discuss the role of PROMs in healthcare and how using these measures in clinical practice can enhance treatment efficacy, improve patient-clinician communication, and assist clinicians in providing better person-centered care.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Learn to Earn the Salary You Deserve: Negotiating Like a Boss
Presented by Natalie Phillips, AuD
Recorded Webinar
AudiologyOnline

Presenter

Natalie Phillips, AuD
Course: #32770Level: Introductory1 Hour
  'The statistics of the salaries and percentage of each male and female that negotiate their salaries'   Read Reviews
The ability to negotiate your income displays immediate knowledge and confidence in your skillset and worth. In this course, we will examine a revenue and pay justification method to put into place as audiology business owners, employers, and employees.

View this Course for FREE.
Need CEUs? Become a AudiologyOnline member to get unlimited CEUs.

Only $129/yr

Learn More

Our site uses cookies to improve your experience. By using our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.