Jun
29
Dear Street Medicine Family,
On June 28, 2023, word was received from CMS that a new unique POS code for Street Medicine was issued! It is POS 27 and is already listed on their website.
Here's the description:
A non-permanent location on the street or found environment, not described by any other POS code, where health professionals provide preventive, screening, diagnostic, and/or treatment services to unsheltered homeless individuals.
(Effective October 1, 2023)
The significance of this is the following:
- Street medicine is now recognized as existing and part of the healthcare system nationwide.
- Street medicine is reimbursable nationwide. This was previously only in CA and HI as of last week.
- Street medicine is distinguished from other places of services like Mobile (POS 15)
- Street medicine visits can be uniquely identified for purposes of MCP contracts with different rates and scopes of work AND to allow for Direct Access (out-of-network referrals can be more easily approved)
- The ability to uniquely identify street medicine visits and patients will create the ability to collect data to gain a better understanding of the needs of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness to inform the creation of a more equitable care model.
This is a historic moment that began in 2015, culminating with an official submission to CMS in Dec. 2021. Over 500 people and organizations signed on to it. Countless people contributed to the effort. It's a shared success with each other, our partners, and the people we love and serve. It's an honor to play a part along with you all.
Brett J. Feldman, MSPAS, PA-C
Director and Co-Founder, Division of Street Medicine
Assistant Professor of Family Medicine
Keck School of Medicine of USC
University of Southern California
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