Impact of the revised Novitas LCD Policies for Hyperbaric Medicine

There has been a lot of communication in the marketplace, as well as confusion and misunderstanding, over the past few weeks regarding the final publication details and implementation notice of the Medicare Administrator Contractor’s, Novitas LCD on hyperbaric medicine for hospitals and physicians. The LCD takes effect July 24th, 2014. A major development with MAC’s and commercial insurance products recently, is their taking a stance on practice requirements. They are dictating credentialing standards. This most recent LCD from Novitas reflects that positioning as well. In this blog post we give you straight answers that will provide clarity and assist you in understanding how the revised requirements will impact you and your program staff.

Click here to read the revised Novitas LCD for the states of PA, MD, DE, D.C., NJ

Click here for the revised Novitas LCD for the states of AK, LA, MS, CO, TX, OK, NM

Do I meet the revised Novitas requirements for staff training and competency?

The section of the revised Novitas LCD that is causing a lot of confusion is the section on "Facility Staff Training and Competency Requirements." That particular section affects practitioners in the states of PA, MD, DE, D.C., NJ, AK, LA, MS, CO, TX, OK, and NM. The revised requirements are effective as of July 24th, 2014. Below we have broken down the requirements separately for physicians, CHT and CHRN's, and Safety Directors and solutions for how you can meet the educational requirements.

FOR PHYSICIANS AND CLINIC ADMINISTRATORS

As per Novitas, "...all physicians who supervise HBOT must meet the following minimal training and competency requirements:

• Hold an unrestricted state medical license for full scope of practice; and
• Hold current certification by the American Heart Association in Advance Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) or ABMS certification in a relevant specialty with current MOC; and
• Within 2 years of the effective date of this LCD, physicians must have completed on of the following:

ACGME, American Osteopathic Association or Department of Defense recognized fellowship in Hyperbaric Medicine with Board Certification or eligibility in the subspecialty of Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine by the American Board of Medical Specialties or the American Osteopathic Association;

OR (combination of Education and Training):

40 hour introductory course in hyperbaric medicine approved by ACHM, UHMS or DOD not more than 5 years prior to applying to oversee treatment and one of the following:

• has performed at least 25 treatments per year since that time, or
• supervised 25 hyperbaric treatments with face-to-face proctoring by a qualified hyperbaric physician followed by quality review of 100 non-proctored cases as part of an Ongoing Professional Practice Evaluation (OPPE) as recommended and outlined by the Joint Commission on Hospital Accreditation.

If either provision has not been fulfilled within the preceding 2 years, at least 15 hours of CME credit relevant to
HBOT must be completed prior to resuming care of the hyperbaric patient.

• The physician should demonstrate competency in chamber operation and the emergency treatment of hyperbaric related medical conditions and complications of therapy. In lieu of proctoring, the physician may obtain from the training program director of a hyperbaric center attestation of evidence that the physician has satisfactorily supervised at least 50 treatments and performed 25 hyperbaric consultations in the prior two years.

Maintenance of education is recommended for all settings of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy consisting of completing 15 Category 1 CME credits in hyperbaric medicine every 24 months with documentation of having supervised at least 50treatments over the 24 month period."

How to Meet the Educational Requirements

If you have completed and passed a 40-hour Introductory Course in Hyperbaric Medicine that is accredited by the UHMS (such as the course offered by Wound Care Education Partners (WCEP), you have met the Novitas requirements. Remember that no matter which educational service provider you choose to obtain your 40-hour training through, it is critical that the course be accredited by the ACHM, UHMS, or DOD in order to meet the Novitas requirement.

If you need to take an Introductory Course in Hyperbaric Medicine, we invite you to enroll in one of our many courses scheduled across the U.S .and internationally. If you need to get your entire clinic credentialed, WCEP offers "travelling" Introductory Courses in Hyperbaric Medicine, meaning that we bring the course to your facility. In fact, our courses are the most affordable courses available in the U.S. Contact us today to schedule a course at your facility! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +1-561-776-6066

If you have already taken an Introductory Course in HBOT by need to maintain your credentialing, we offer accredited online CME courses that meet the revised Novitas requirements. We invite you to enroll in any of our accredited online CME courses ranging from 1.0 credit hours to 19.0 credit hours. Browse the full list of physician level CME courses now.

FOR CHT AND CHRN

As per the Novitas Facility Staff Training and Competency Requirements, "Nursing, clinical and technical staff who participate in the care and services of hyperbaric patients must obtain the following training and certification such that each facility is staffed with at least one individual meeting these criteria, in addition to the qualified physician, at any time a patient is present in the facility.

1. ACLS certification
2. Completion of a 40-hour in-person or web-based accredited training program such as one approved by the American College of Hyperbaric Medicine or the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.
3. Certification in Hyperbaric Medicine or CAQ by one of the following:
   • The American Board of Wound Healing (ABWH),
   • The Baromedical Nurses Association (BNA),
   • The National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT)"

How to Meet the Educational Requirements

If you have completed and passed a 40-hour Introductory Course in Hyperbaric Medicine that is accredited by the UHMS or the ACHM (such as the course offered by Wound Care Education Partners (WCEP), and you have obtained your hyperbaric medicine certification through either the ABWH, BNA, or NBDHMT, then you have met the Novitas requirements. Please bear in mind that the revised Novitas policies say that each facility must be staffed with at least one individual meeting these criteria in addition to the qualified physician, at any time a patient is present in the facility.

If you need to take an Introductory Course in Hyperbaric Medicine, we invite you to enroll in one of our many courses scheduled across the U.S .and internationally. Please contact us with questions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call +1-561-776-6066

APPOINTMENT OF A SAFETY DIRECTOR IS REQUIRED

As per the Novitas Facility Staff Training and Competency Requirements, "It is required that each facility designate a Hyperbaric Safety Director to monitor all hyperbaric facility equipment and to implement the mandated operational safety requirements. It is assumed that the Hyperbaric Safety Director has successfully completed an approved Hyperbaric Safety Course such as one approved by the ACHM or UHMS, Maintain State Board Licensure and ACLS Certification. Certification in Hyperbaric Medicine or CAQ in Hyperbaric Medicine is recommended."

How to Meet the Requirement

Wound Care Eduation Partners (WCEP) offers approved courses on "Introduction to the Role of Hyperbaric Safety Director." If you have recently appointed a Safety Director, or if your Safety Director has not yet completed an approved Hyperbaric Safety Director Course, we invite you visit our upcoming events calendar and enroll in one of the courses held regularly across the US and globally. WCEP also offers "travelling" Safety Director Role courses, meaning that we bring the course to your facility. In fact, our courses are the most affordable classroom courses in hyperbaric medicine available in the U.S. Contact us today to schedule a course at your facility! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +1-561-776-6066

WHY CHOOSE WOUND CARE EDUCATION PARTNERS?

Credentialed Faculty – Our physicians are all Board Certified in Undersea & Hyperbaric Medicine through the American Board of Preventative Medicine and will provide instruction on all patient care related aspects and a Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse or registered nurse and Certified Hyperbaric Technician to provide instruction on diving physics, physiology, safety, and hyperbaric systems.

Face to Face Learning – There is a distinct advantage of personal instruction in an intimate learning environment with peers and provides the advantage of ‘team training’. In addition, customized training on their equipment provides real value and understanding regardless of monoplace or multiplace training. 

Follow Up Training and Consultation – Access to faculty does not end with the Introductory Course, faculty are available to assist the customer by phone or email for 90 days without additional cost. Wound Care Education Partners is available after the initial period to provide education assistance if the customer needs.

Contact us today to schedule a course at your facility! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +1-561-776-6066

Accreditation Statement for the Introductory Course in Hyperbaric Medicine

UHMS and NBDHMT approved; 40 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™; 40 CE hours of NBDHMT credits, 40 CE hours approved for the Florida Boards of Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, Podiatric Medicine and Certified Nursing Assistants.

• The Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS) insists on using certification programs that are sanctioned by independent third parties (i.e. ABMS, DMAC).
• UHMS and NBDHMT approved Introductory Courses in Hyperbaric Medicine programs are the gold standard requirement of hospital credentialing committees worldwide.
  
• The National Board of Diving & Hyperbaric Medical Technology requires an approved Introductory Course in Hyperbaric Medicine in order to be eligible for the Certified Hyperbaric Technologist or Certified Hyperbaric Registered Nurse examinations.