Problem:
APNs across the country face inequitable reimbursement for the provision of medical and health care services from commercial insurers. These insurers function in regional markets across state lines. Insurer provider network policies vary according to the geographic location by state and across regions of multiple states.
Purpose:
The purpose of the APN Multi-State Reimbursement Alliance, (MSRA), formed in 2006, is to seek solutions to overcome barriers and reimbursement inequities to fair reimbursement for APN services in multi state regions. The MSRA addresses these inequities through collective action.
Membership:
Current active membership includes national and state leaders who are: Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Midwives and Clinical Nurse Specialists from the following 10 states: Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Minnesota, Washington State.
MSRA Goals
- To utilize the legal, legislative and regulatory mechanisms needed to overcome the reimbursement barriers facing APNs
- To provide state and regional perspectives on the problems commercial payers create for APN providers due to inconsistencies in payment for services rendered
- To assure that fair and equitable reimbursement is guaranteed to all APNs in the Multi State geographic area
- To assure that patient access to APN services is not limited, restricted, or denied due to commercial payer rules and regulations
The alliance will provide key educational and informational resources to APNs for their individual use regarding reimbursement issues. We hope to establish links to other state and National organizations for easy access to experts in your home state and region.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world:
Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has” Margaret Mead
Accomplishments:
United Health Care: Secured recognition of APNs with assistance from the Ohio Association of Advanced Practice Nurses and other state associations.
Aetna: Currently negotiating for APN recognition in Ohio and Kentucky with promises to extend new APN policies across the United States.
UAW Benefit Contract: Ohio and Michigan secured recognition of NPs and primary providers in the UAW health benefit contracts, other states with benefit changes.
Anthem: Currently in discussion
Cigna: Future target.
State Department of Insurance: Individual states currently meeting with their respective Departments of Insurance
National and State Representatives
MSRA: Web Page: www.oaapn.org MSRA Link (under construction)
Administrative Assistant Carla Slavik: AdminAssistant@oaapn.org
States:
Michigan: Connie Knapper: connieNP1@yahoo.com
Joanie Slager: slagerj@bronsonhg.org
West Virginia: Beth Baldwin: elbrn6e21@msn.com
Ohio: Christine Williams: masada2@earthlink.net
Louanne Bailey: baileycrnp@hotmail.com
Indiana: Dee Swanson: deeswanson@insightbb.com
President AANP
Susan Lee: sklee13@insightbb.com
Illinois: Linda Follenweider: follenweider@gmail.com
Marie Lindsey: lindsey.mj@sbcglobal.net
Virginia: Diane Walker: icontradance@gmail.com
Joanne M. Iannitto: jmiann@comcast.net
Minnesota: Gretchen Moen: gmoen@eaganchildandfamily.com
AANP: Jan Towers: jtowers@aanp.org
Director of Health Policy
Pennsylvania: Lorraine Bock: lorrainecrnp@kuhncom.net
Kentucky: Kathy Wheeler: Kwhee2@email.uky.edu
Susan Matthews: smatth8672@aol.com
Washington: Kelli Sugihara: sugi@tx3.com
Rev. 6/08 |
