<div>FYI...</div>
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<div>If you are interested in responding, please note the very short timeframe.</div>
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<div>Cathy<br><br></div>
<div class="gmail_quote">---------- Forwarded message ----------<br>From: <b class="gmail_sendername">Doug A. Romer</b> <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:Dar01@grh.org">Dar01@grh.org</a>></span><br>Date: Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 1:49 PM<br>
Subject: FW: [ata-bf] Action Alert CPT Code for Critical Care Services<br>To: Catherine Britain <<a href="mailto:csbritain@gmail.com">csbritain@gmail.com</a>><br><br><br>
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<div dir="ltr" align="left"><font face="Calibri" color="#0000ff"><span>Hi Cathy</span></font></div>
<div dir="ltr" align="left"><font face="Calibri" color="#0000ff"><span>Perhaps our TAO listserve especially Miles would like to see this.</span></font></div><br>
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<font face="Tahoma" size="2"><b>From:</b> Jordana Bernard [mailto:<a href="mailto:JBernard@americantelemed.org" target="_blank">JBernard@americantelemed.org</a>] <br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, October 30, 2009 10:21 AM<br><b>To:</b> Business & Finance<br>
<b>Subject:</b> [ata-bf] Action Alert CPT Code for Critical Care Services<br></font><br></div>
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<p><font color="#990000" size="2">Attention: This message has been transmitted through the listserv ata-bf. To respond to the email, please remember the following: </font></p>
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<li><font color="#990000" size="2">Use the "REPLY" function to send a message to the <u>original author only</u>.</font>
<li><font color="#990000" size="2">Use the "REPLY ALL" function to send a response to the entire listserv.</font> </li></li></ul>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">A message from Dr. Elizabeth Cowboy, ATA TeleICU Discussion Group Chair:</span></b></p></div></div>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Dear TeleICU <span style="COLOR: #1f497d">S</span>upporters<span style="COLOR: #1f497d">:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Please act now. It takes three minutes to add your details<span style="COLOR: #1f497d">. </span>FORWARD immediately to all eDocs, eNurses and corporate sponsors. Our goal is 2000 responses by Sunday.<span style="COLOR: #1f497d"> </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 16pt; COLOR: white; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">October 29, 2009</span></b></p></div></td></tr></tbody></table>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><img height="205" src="cid:image001.jpg@01CA58B4.F04E6EB0" width="933"></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><b><span style="COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">Telemedicine practitioners have a great opportunity to urge our four major professional organizations (QUAD Societies) to join together in advocating for the adoption of a billable / reimbursable CPT code for TeleICU services. </span></b><b><u><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">But we have only until Sunday, November 1<sup>st </sup>to deliver our message!</span></u></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">Your letters / emails should encourage the representatives of the QUAD Societies to support the adoption of a billable / reimbursable CPT code and reference the recent survey collected by<b> NAMDRC</b></span><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> </span></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">showing that TeleICU services submitted for reimbursement would increase by only <span style="LETTER-SPACING: -0.1pt">4% for 99291 codes and by </span>6.8% for <span style="LETTER-SPACING: -0.1pt">99292 codes. With Congress currently searching for ways to reduce healthcare costs while improving patient outcomes, TeleICU must be part of the discussion. </span><b><u>To facilitate this, email your leadership (below) to ask the CPT/AMA to make TeleICU a Category 1 code (from its current Category 3 code).</u> </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.1pt">There are talking points for your use on page two of this alert if needed</span></i></b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'; LETTER-SPACING: -0.1pt">.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Association Contacts</span></b></p></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Email</span></b></p></td></tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">SCCM</span></b></p></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Dr. Mitchell Levy</span></b></p></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><a title="mailto:mitchell_levy@brown.edu" href="mailto:mitchell_levy@brown.edu" target="_blank">mitchell_levy@brown.edu</a></span></b></p></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">SCCM</span></b></p></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Mr. Steve McEllin</span></b></p></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><a title="mailto:smcellin@sccm.org" href="mailto:smcellin@sccm.org" target="_blank">smcellin@sccm.org</a> </span></b></p></td></tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">ACCP</span></b></p></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Dr. James Mathers</span></b></p></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><a title="mailto:jamathers@verizon.net" href="mailto:jamathers@verizon.net" target="_blank">jamathers@verizon.net</a></span></b></p></td></tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">ACCP</span></b></p></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Ms. Lynn Marcus</span></b></p></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><a title="mailto:lmarcus@chestnet.org" href="mailto:lmarcus@chestnet.org" target="_blank">lmarcus@chestnet.org</a></span></b></p></td></tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">ACCP/ NAMDRC</span></b></p></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Dr. Steve Peters</span></b></p></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><a title="mailto:peters.steve@mayo.edu" href="mailto:peters.steve@mayo.edu" target="_blank">peters.steve@mayo.edu</a></span></b></p></td></tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Mr. Gary Ewart</span></b></p></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><a title="mailto:gewart@thoracic.org" href="mailto:gewart@thoracic.org" target="_blank">gewart@thoracic.org</a></span></b></p></td></tr>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">ATS</span></b></p></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt">Dr. Randall Curtis</span></b></p></td>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-TOP: 6pt"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt"><a title="mailto:jrc@u.washington.edu" href="mailto:jrc@u.washington.edu" target="_blank">jrc@u.washington.edu</a></span></b></p></td></tr></tbody></table>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 20pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">Sample Talking Points:</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Webdings">ë</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt; COLOR: navy"> </span><b><span style="COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">As a __________, with firsthand knowledge of the benefits of telemedicine, I am writing to urge you to advance the adoption of a reimbursable CPT code for TeleICU. </span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Webdings">ë</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt; COLOR: navy"> </span><b><span style="COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">The current CPT code of Category 3 does not recognize the important role TeleICU plays in the delivery of critical care.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Webdings">ë</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt; COLOR: navy"> </span><b><span style="COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">Adopting a Category 1 / reimbursable CPT code for TeleICU will help encourage wider adoption of this technology across the US and especially in rural and underserved areas.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Webdings">ë</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt; COLOR: navy"> </span><b><span style="COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">As Congress struggles with identifying ways to reduce costs in the US healthcare system while at the same time improving patient outcomes, TeleICU has proven itself to achieve both of these objectives.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Webdings">ë</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt; COLOR: navy"> </span><b><span style="COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">The current healthcare reform bills now under consideration by Congress have provisions that encourage the use of telemedicine services.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Webdings">ë</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt; COLOR: navy"> </span><b><span style="COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">President Obama included grant opportunities in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the implementation and expansion of telemedicine signaling the growing acceptance of TeleICU as a best practice for critically ill patients.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Webdings">ë</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt; COLOR: navy"> </span><b><span style="COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">TeleICU offers the potential to reduce the overall costs of critical care services</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Webdings">ë</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt; COLOR: navy"> </span><b><span style="COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">TeleICU adds value, decreases mortality, decreases LOS, decreases morbidity, saves money, improves the process of care and facilitates compliance.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Webdings">ë</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 7pt; COLOR: navy"> </span><b><span style="COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">Many hospitals have limited qualified physicians and critical care nurses available for 24/7 bedside monitoring of critically ill patients and TeleICU can help meet fill this staffing gap</span></b><b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: navy"> </span></b><b><span style="COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">and workforce shortage.</span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align="center"><img height="65" src="cid:image004.gif@01CA58B4.F04E6EB0" width="199" border="0"><b><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype','serif'">Please copy me (a blind copy is fine) on any correspondence you send to any of the quad representatives on this issue: <a title="mailto:elizabeth_cowboy@via-christi.org" href="mailto:elizabeth_cowboy@via-christi.org" target="_blank">elizabeth_cowboy@via-christi.org</a></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt"> </span></p><pre>--- You are currently subscribed to ata-teleicu as: <a href="mailto:jbernard@americantelemed.org" target="_blank">jbernard@americantelemed.org</a>. To unsubscribe send a blank email to <a href="mailto:leave-697622-3034153.a6a61139d7fbd6d89b6b2a645568e300@lists.lrs.com" target="_blank">leave-697622-3034153.a6a61139d7fbd6d89b6b2a645568e300@lists.lrs.com</a></pre>
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</div></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Catherine S. Britain<br><a href="mailto:csbritain@gmail.com">csbritain@gmail.com</a><br>541-910-7366<br>