Health care is experiencing rapid and profound changes in the modes of service delivery. The primary care physician has been reaffirmed as being of integral importance in determining necessary patient services. The Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine is now Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed) strongly supports the physician’s role in the prescribing of rehabilitation therapies, durable medical equipment, transportation, psychological services, respiratory treatments, and any other ancillary services which require physician concurrence. Proper prescribing is the result of physician education, judgment, and experience. Accordingly, overutilization, as well as underutilization, of evaluations, tests, and treatments should be avoided by ensuring that authorization of services is based on the judgment of the responsible physician. Fraud and abuse shall not be tolerated.
Continuing education in the parameters of ancillary services is desirable for all members of the health care team. Educational programs will lead to a better understanding of the benefits as well as limitations of various treatment modalities. PALTmed will continue to provide its members with current knowledge and philosophy regarding ancillary or alternative treatments and diagnostic modalities. PALTmed supports the role of the attending physician as coordinator of patient care services, working in consultation with the interdisciplinary health care team.
Note: Effective August 13, 2024, AMDA - The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine is now Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed).