Team-based care Resources

Advanced practice providers and care team

Advanced Practice Providers (APPs) are making huge contributions in neurology, and we hope to help you advance professionally and build on your knowledge. We believe that neurology is a rewarding and challenging specialty that is well-suited to the skills of APPs.

With the wide range of experience and expertise of APPs in neurology, many programs or courses could be appropriate. With this in mind, we have listed items that are specific to APPs, or could be relevant for APPs with less experience in neurology.

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TOP 5: Coding and Billing Basics for APPs

1. Learn how APPs bill: APPs bill for services under Medicare, using "incident to" methodology.

2. Familiarize yourself with different code sets: Neurology providers use various code sets including Current Procedural Technology (CPT) and International Classification of Diseases - 10th Revision (ICD-10)

3. Understand your state's specific regulations: States have varying regulations related to scope of practice for APPs (nurse practitioners and physician assistants). 

4. Seek out the most up-to-date resources: Review AAN's CPT and Coding Resources for general coding guidance and stay current on Evaluation and Management (E/M) coding and documentation guidelines.

5. Know your practice's expectations: Follow your organization's criteria and processes for billing as an APP.

online neuroanatomy lectures

Dr. Karima Benameur, Assistant Professor at Emory University and member of the AAN's Education Committee, worked with a team of medical illustrators to develop four neuroanatomy lectures with 3D animations. These videos have been reviewed by members of the AAN Education and Practice Committees and are being disseminated by the Academy on behalf of Emory University.

join the advanced practice provider synapse

Network and collaborate with Neurology APPs to share ideas and insights.

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Online Learning Courses for Advanced Practice Providers

NeuroReady: Advanced Practice Providers Edition

The online NeuroReady: Advanced Practice Providers Edition is designed to provide foundational knowledge for advanced practice providers (APPs) who are one to three years out of graduation and are new to neurology. The course is designed in a convenient online format, allowing you to take it in your own time, at your own pace. 

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Microlearning Series: Population Health Fundamentals

Listen to the 3-episode series (3-5 minutes each) about the basics of "population health" and what it means for neurology, including definitions, population health components, and scenario examples.

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FAQs About Advanced Practice Providers
Team-Based Care Practice Dos and Don'ts
DOs DON'Ts
Consider Needs: Evaluate your practice needs and patient population before you hire an APP. Delegate Admin: Assume APPs will take all of the work other providers do not want.
Adapt Position: Tailor your position to fit experience of the person you hire.  Be Too Rigid: Make assumptions about what the APP is capable or incapable of doing. 
Plan Onboarding: Determine an onboarding schedule and set expectations with the APP.  Skip Training: Think the APP won't need onboarding if they have neurology experience. 
Get Buy-In: Make sure physicians want to be mentors and collaborators.  Presume Uniformity: Expect the APP to adapt to the practice styles of many different physicians. 
Do Your Research: Understand the nuances of billing and licensure in your state before you hire.  Assume Same Scope: Think nurse practitioners and physician assistants have the same scope of practice. 
Consider Cost: Consider all ancillary costs of adding a provider. Profit Immediately: Plan for the APP to be profitable right away.
Give Support: Provider support and resources to APPs. Ignore Skill Set: Have the APP perform tasks support staff can complete.
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