I enthusiastically support the brilliant idea of reimbursing nurses at the same as practicing physicians. Not long ago, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (2016) reviewed their position regarding policies governing the reimbursement. Under the current rates, nurses are only reimbursed 85 percent of the amount payable to competent physicians (DeCapua, 2016). The current rate is discriminatory and has even raised questions about medical billing. This means significance is attached to the services offered by physicians.
In my view, nurses deserve improvement in reimbursement rate because present evidence shows that as autonomously licensed providers of primary care, nurses have shown capability in providing high quality care (Buchanan et al., 2015). As well, patients assisted by nurses are satisfied more than those consulting physicians. This is because practical nurses are more dedicated and focused on what they do and perform better in consultation, screening and counseling services. Hence, in my view, if patients prefer nurses, why then should nurses be reimbursed at more reduced rates? In addition, nurses also incurred overhead costs commensurate to physicians yet they are reimbursed at reduced rates. On that account, there is no specific reason to intentionally discriminate them at the expense of physicians.
Reimbursing nurses at the same rate can potentially improve morale and positively enhance diversity within the healthcare sector. Additionally, there are gender concerns surrounding the issues of remuneration since most of nurse practitioners are women. This has potentially elicited mixed responses on the prejudices surrounding women and has the capability of negatively affecting care provision. If the reimbursement issue is unaddressed, the economic structure will force patients to seek for alternative services from cheaper medical facilities and prefer services of less qualified professionals. It is imperative to point out that nurses are cheaper compared to physicians.
References
Buchanan J., Dawkins P. and Lindo J. (2015). Satisfaction with nursing care in the emergency
department of an urban hospital in the developing world: A pilot study. International Emergency Nursing, 23, 218–224.
DeCapua, M. (2016). How much revenue does a primary care Nurse Practitioner generate?
Barton Associates. Accessed November 2, 2019 from https://www.bartonassociates.com/blog/how-much-revenue-does-a-primary-care-nurse-practitioner-generate.
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. (2016). NAPNAP position statement on
pediatric health care/medical home: Key issues on care coordination, transitions, and leadership. Journal of Pediatric Health Care. 30: 17A–19A.