Dear APRN Colleagues,

Happy Veterans Day! Today is time to remember that our freedom isn’t guaranteed. Our freedoms are protected by the men and women in our Armed Services. To those who have served, we thank you! We are privileged to care for our Nation’s heroes each and every day. Thank you to all for the outstanding care you provide to our Veteran patients, especially during the COVID pandemic. This has been a very challenging year for all of us.

In honor of Florence Nightingale's 200th birthday, the World Health Organization has chosen 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife. The Office of Nursing Service (ONS) and the National Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Council have selected November as APRN month. In addition to APRN month, the VA also celebrates National Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week this week, November 8-14, 2020!

The National APRN Council is launching APRN E-Cards as a way to thank your colleagues for their contributions to APRN practice and Veteran care. Special thanks to Carlene Ferrier, MPH, RN, NEA-BC, Nurse Recruiter for spearheading this endeavor. She contacted me in late July and felt this would be a wonderful way to acknowledge our colleagues during “NP Week,” as was done during “Nurses Week” when over 10,000 E-cards were exchanged. We have the opportunity to include all APRNs and highlight their contributions as we celebrate the Year of the Nurse and Midwife during the month of November. Take this opportunity to acknowledge your APRN colleagues!

Please access the E- Cards using a VA device at https://leaf.va.gov/NATIONAL/10A1/aprn/report.php?a=Main_Page

Celebrating National Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week

November 8–14, 2020

NP Week is a time to celebrate the professional accomplishments and raise awareness of the extraordinary contributions NPs make to the health and well-being for millions of Americans including our Nation’s Veterans. This week affords the us the opportunity to reflect upon the important role NPs play in today’s healthcare environment and the critical roles NPs will play in the future. NOVA wishes to acknowledge and thank the dedicated 6,625 NPs who tirelessly care for our Nation’s heroes.

As the VA continues to make great strides in improving access to healthcare, NPs have long been on the forefront, providing access to care through face-to-face appointments and quickly adapting to virtual platforms in order to connect with their patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant and positive advancements in ensuring that 100% of the VHA Healthcare Systems have updated their medical staff bylaws to grant NPs “full practice authority” has demonstrated the critical role NPs play throughout the VA Healthcare system, and has extended VA’s ability to provide the timely and quality care our Veterans expect and deserve! Happy NP Week!

Ordering Home Health

Per my Legislative Update, which was included in the September/October APRN Newsletter, I reported the following information. My last bullet point stated that the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) was compiling a list of states that allow NPs to order home health. CLICK HERE to access the list. I have recently received this information from AANP and have attached the list to this email. Please contact me if you have additional questions.

According to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)2 Certification for Payment of Medicare Home Health Services: As required under section 3708 of the CARES Act, CMS is allowing nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists and physician assistants to certify the need for home health services as defined under 42CFR § 424.507(b)(1) payment requirements for covered Part A or Part B home health services.

• Plans of Care and Certifying/Recertifying Patient Eligibility: In addition to a physician, section 3708 of the CARES Act allows a Medicare-eligible home health patient to be under the care of a nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or a physician assistant who is working in accordance with State law. These physicians/practitioners can: (1) order home health services; (2) establish and periodically review a plan of care for home health services (e.g., sign the plan of care), (3) certify and re-certify that the patient is eligible for Medicare home health services. These changes, effective March 1, 2020, provide the flexibility needed for more timely initiation of services for home health patients, while allowing providers and patients to practice social distancing. Specifically, for Medicare, these changes are effective for Medicare claims with a “claim through date” on or after March 1, 2020.
• Although the CARES Act allows NPs, CNSs and PAs to certify and recertify home health orders, the law defers to the state of licensure, therefore, the ability to authorize home health orders falls under the scope of state practice laws.
• APRNs ordering home health are encouraged to check with their state Board of Nursing if unsure of state statue.
• Currently, AANP reports that they have seen positive movement on the state level with 5 states permanently updating their regulations, 10 states in the process of permanently updating their regulations, and 13 other states having taken temporary action during the COVID pandemic. A list of states is being compiled and will soon be available.

Best Regards,

Penny Kaye Jensen