[Regina]

We deal with several departments of aging in PA, and the case managers insist that we call the physicians for the scripts. For instance, the case manager determines that the patient needs a walker, and calls us to order one. I am uncomfortable with this, and we have had doctors tell us, rightly so, that they don't know who we are and will not send us a prescription for the item. We have tried to explain to the case managers that this system will add significantly to the time the patient may need to wait, but they don't seem to care(they are government employees, after all). I have searched for policy regarding this, but am only coming up with the telephone solicitation rule. I feel that if the case manager feels the patient needs equipment, he or she should be the one to discuss it with the doctor. Anyone else having problems like this? Any ideas for me?

Thanks!

[HEATHER]

We don't mind getting orders. We just fax a Rx noting what equipment is ordered and who called it in to us. A lot of times it is the same dr who ordered the home health to begin with. We never have a problem. Some dr's respond faster than others. We tell the referral source we will fax the Rx but that a follow up call to the physician from the referrer or the patient tends to speed things up. Most dr's we work with would rather sign a faxed order and be done with it than give a verbal ok - so works out well for both of us.

[Regina]

These are being ordered by dept of aging case managers, not anyone who already has a relationship with the physician.
I also have a problem with the fact that for many of these patients, they are new to us, and we don't have a signed release of information. So there are HIPAA issues too.