Medicare Compliance & Reimbursement

In yet another twist on the national debate on gun control, a federal court will soon weigh in on a physician’s right to advise families on firearm safety.

A Florida law is under fire from the American Medical Association (AMA) and eight other medical groups because the law aims to censor firearm dialogue between providers and their patients, states a May 17 AMA Wire story.

“The law directly clashes with a consensus on care that dates to at least 1989,” says AMA Wire. “That year, the AMA enacted a policy that encourages members to inquire into the presence of firearms in households and to promote the use of safety locks on guns in an effort to reduce injuries to children.”

The outcome could infringe on the already metered communications between providers and patients. The AMA is worried that the ruling may hinder other areas of physician/patient exchange.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11^th Circuit will hear arguments in Atlanta on June 21, says AMA Wire.

Resource: For more information on this important case regarding Physician/Patient dialogue, visit http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/ama-wire/post/freedom-of-patient-physician-conversations-hinges-court-case.