Stark Law Exception
Allowing Coordinated Care for Medicare Patients
Who do you trust with your sleep health?
When it comes to sleep medicine, board-certified sleep specialists have the knowledge and training to provide the highest quality of medical care for Medicare patients, particularly when treating dangerous, chronic sleep diseases such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
In fact, studies have shown Medicare patients with OSA are significantly more compliant with positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy after a consultation from a sleep specialist.
Audit reports from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) demonstrate that durable medical equipment (DME) companies provide inadequate patient education when supplying patients with PAP equipment. American Medicare patients deserve better.
Sleep care must be coordinated, with physicians leading patients through all facets of coordinated care. OSA is a chronic disease that warrants sleep physician involvement throughout:
- Screening
- Diagnostic Testing
- Diagnosis
- Prescription and Provision of Therapy
- Patient Education
- Disease Management
Today’s Medicare patients demand 21st century, coordinated care—the Stark Law is simply a relic of the past. Exempt sleep medicine from the overreach of the Stark Law. Leave sleep medicine in the hands of qualified sleep physicians.
For all questions, comments, and opportunities for collaboration, please contact AASM advocacy staff (policy@aasm.org) at (630) 737-9700.