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| AAN Position Paper: On Call Reimbursement |
You are here: Home > AAN Position Paper: On Call Reimbursement
American Academy of Neurology Position Paper
On-Call Reimbursement for Neurologists
The American Academy of Neurology is a professional organization of 18,000 practicing neurologists and neuroscientists who have a deep and abiding interest in assuring the best possible care of those patients with neurologic disorders, including stroke, epilepsy, Parkinson’s Disease, dementia, and ALS. The Academy is very much interested in the long-term viability of hospitals delivering efficient, modern, and high quality care to patients with acute neurological illness.
Neurologists are critical in evaluating and caring for patients with acute neurological illness, including stroke, but it is increasingly difficult for neurologists to do so. Since most communities support few neurologists, a disproportionate call burden falls to each and, when called, the neurologist often must abandon an office filled with other ill patients. Increased malpractice liability, increased office overhead, and inadequate reimbursement for emergency services have combined to make it difficult for neurologists to care for people with emergent illness. There is a growing imbalance in the American medical system which forces neurologists to choose to limit or abandon emergency coverage in favor of other, needed professional services to their communities. On the other hand, hospitals benefit from emergency room services which support other diagnostic facilities, operating rooms, and inpatient beds. Further, hospitals have multiple revenue services to support the ER including grants, insurance payments, charity and low cost loans.
The American Academy of Neurology believes that patients and communities will have better access to emergency neurologist services for stroke and other illnesses when neurologists are reimbursed to be on call.
Emergency room coverage represents a disproportionate demand on neurologists and a service to hospitals which goes beyond service to the community, which should be recognized and reimbursed separately from payment for patient care.
