Who can facilitate TCM post-discharge call?

I understand that initial contact must be within 2 business days of discharge. Let's suppose that contact is via telephone. Who can make that phone call? Can it be made by a Medical Assistant under the direction of a provider or clinical staff?

re: Who can facilitate TCM post-discharge call?

http://www.aafp.org/dam/AAFP/documents/practice_management/payment/TCMFAQ.pdf

re: re: Who can facilitate TCM post-discharge call?

Thanks for that great FAQ sheet! I understand from that that the follow-up call must be by clinical staff, such as an RN or LPN, but my question is whether a Medical Assistant (MA) could be considered a part of clinical staff or if they are necessarily non-clinical or clerical? Hope you have an answer. Thanks for your help!

re: re: Who can facilitate TCM post-discharge call?

Communication (direct contact, telephone, electronic) with the patient and/or caregiver within 2 business days of discharge.
http://www.acponline.org/running_practice/payment_coding/coding/sample_tcm.pdf

re: re: Who can facilitate TCM post-discharge call?

Communication (direct contact, telephone, electronic) with the patient and/or caregiver within 2 business days of discharge.

re: re: Who can facilitate TCM post-discharge call?

Thank you. Actually, my question is whether or not an MA (Medical Assistant) is considered clinical staff that can make the initial contact?

re: re: Who can facilitate TCM post-discharge call?

Some Medicare carriers state interpretation: is that having MA's perform the phone interview done within 2 business days of discharge may not satisfy the regulations. They interpret this rule as allowing LPN's, RN's, mid-level providers, or physicians but NOT including MA's. If someone has a different interpretation of this rule please weigh in.

re: re: Who can facilitate TCM post-discharge call?

Per Pennsylvania Medical Society an MA can make the phone call. The call must be documented in the patient chart. If there are two or more attempts to contact the patient are made and contact is after the two business days, this can still be billed as a TCM as long as each call is documented.