Reimbursement by Medicare.

Medicare part B reimbursement for PA services is six months old. The present legislation represents only a partial victory for PAs, since coverage is restricted to surgical assisting, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and intermediate care facilities. All PAs should understand the full implications of Medicare reimbursement so that they can help patients secure payment. As a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants' Legislative and Governmental Affairs Committee, the author suggests that the new coverage is at least partially successful despite predictable implementation problems. It is especially important for state chapters to contact local carriers, and for PAs to continue lobbying for full coverage.