Media Coverage of Therapy Cap Highlights Urgency for Congressional Action 

News coverage of the therapy cap, prompted by APTA's recent media outreach, is drawing attention to the growing number of Medicare beneficiaries who soon may reach the $1,860 limit and the questions that providers face about how to best proceed with the provision of outpatient rehabilitation services once the limit is reached.

An article in The Hill, which features APTA, describes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' instructions on the options available once a patient has reached the cap, such as holding claims until it becomes clear if reform legislation will pass. However, a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius from Sens Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), and John Ensign (R-NV) that seeks help in delaying enforcement of the caps while Congress works out a solution says, "While we appreciate this memorandum, many rehabilitation providers are unable to hold claims for substantial periods of time."

In its coverage Wednesday of the therapy cap, Congressional Quarterly quotes APTA President R. Scott Ward, PT, PhD, in an article based on a press release recently issued by APTA. The article also highlights the coalition of more than 30 health care groups -- including APTA -- that called on Congress last week to address the cap in legislation with the physician fee schedule. In the same article, a Senate Finance Committee aide says that Chairman Max Baucus D-MT) "is committed to extending the longstanding policy that exempts Medicare beneficiaries from therapy caps. The extension is included in the Senate-passed health reform legislation that Chairman Baucus hopes to have enacted as soon as possible. In the meantime, Chairman Baucus is open to including the therapy caps protection on any health-related legislation under consideration in the Senate."

New Therapy Cap Resources: Get Informed, Get Involved

APTA has developed several new resources to assist members in cap billing procedures and getting the word out on how the financial limit affects the provision of physical therapy services.      

A new podcast addresses the most common questions related to implementation of the therapy cap without an exceptions process.          

APTA's "10 Things You Can Do to Stop the Cap" can help PTs get the word out about the therapy cap. The fifth action item suggests holding a practice visit for members of Congress to demonstrate physical therapy in action and educate the members on the cap’s impact on patients. John Lockard, PT, OCS, of Northwest Physical Therapy in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania, recently held a practice visit for Rep Allyson Schwartz (D-PA). The event was attended by approximately 20 people, including APTA Board members Laurie Hack, PT, DPT, MBA, PhD, and Mary Sinnott, PT, DPT,MEd, and federal government affairs staff.    

PTs interested in reaching out to the media can personalize APTA's therapy cap news release template and send it to their local newspapers.

If you have a story about a patient (no names, please) who has -- or is about to -- reach the cap, post it at APTA's Moving Forward blog.  

APTA Launches 'Heard on the Hill' Podcast Series

The inaugural Heard on the Hill, a monthly podcast series that focuses on congressional issues affecting PTs and PTAs, focuses on President Obama's first State of the Union address and his fiscal year 2011 budget. Topics covered in the podcast include funds to be directed toward Medicare, Medicaid, the National Institutes of Health, community health centers, health information technology, the National Services Corps, patient-centered health research, and more.     

Downloadable Vestibular Rehabilitation FAQ Now Available

A new downloadable FAQ defines vestibular rehabilitation and the physical therapist's role in the treatment of vestibular dysfunction, provides information on the tests and measures commonly used in vestibular rehabilitation, and explains the various procedure codes that are typically reported (billed) in vestibular rehabilitation.

CSM Daily Preview Now Online   

Gear up for the Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) with APTA's CSM Daily Preview now available online. The preview issue highlights keynote speaker H. Steven Sadowsky, PT, RRT, MS, CCS, provides information on APTA's consumer roll out of the brand, lists exhibitors, and offers information on things to do and how to get around in San Diego.        

Practice Tips

Avoiding Abbreviations to Avoid Errors  

The Joint Commission's Do Not Use list is a standardized list of abbreviations, acronyms, symbols, and dose designations that should not be used in accredited organizations. The list, which is reviewed annually, discusses medical errors related to the misuse and misinterpretation of abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols.    

Living the Brand: Establishing Credibility   

APTA's brand development efforts have been focused not on branding APTA, but rather on physical therapists and physical therapy. However, it is imperative that the APTA be responsible for managing the brand position. To this end, the association recommends creating a "seal of approval" icon to denote that a communication has come from a professional source, and that as a physical therapy provider you have an entire organization behind you to help establish and maintain your credibility. For an example of the icon, see page 17 of the Brand Guidelines reference book. 

To learn more about living the brand, go to www.apta.org/brandbeat.

New in Research

Footnote: What's New in the Literature

Individualized cyclic pressure relief may have substantial benefits in accelerating the healing process in wheelchair users with existing pressure ulcers while maintaining the mobility of individuals with spinal cord injury during pressure ulcer treatment, say authors of a study published in the November 2009 issue (Vol 22 Issue 11) of Advances in Skin & Wound Care.

This randomized controlled study was conducted in spinal cord injury clinics. Forty-four participants, aged 18-79 years, with Stage II or Stage III pressure ulcers, were randomly assigned to the control (n = 22) or treatment (n = 22) groups. Participants in the treatment group used wheelchairs equipped with an individually adjusted automated seat that provided cyclic pressure relief; participants in the control group used a standard wheelchair. All subjects sat in wheelchairs for a minimum of 4 hours per day for 30 days during their pressure ulcer treatment. Wound characteristics were assessed using the Pressure Ulcer Scale for Healing (PUSH) tool and wound dimensions recorded with digital photographs twice a week. Median healing time for a 30% healing relative to initial measurements, the percentage reduction in wound area, and the percentage improvement in PUSH score achieved at the end of the trial were compared between groups.

At the end of 30 days, both groups demonstrated a general trend of healing. However, the treatment group was found to take significantly less time to achieve 30% healing for the wound measurement compared with the control group. The percentage improvement of the wound area and PUSH scores were greater in using cyclic seating (45.0 +/- 21.0; 29.9 +/- 24. 6,) compared with standard seating (10.2 +/- 34.9, 5.8 +/- 9.2).

Membership Matters

Save the Date: CSM Events Benefit the Foundation

Join your friends and colleagues at the Sports Physical Therapy Section Beach Party Redux, February 18, 8:00 pm-12:00 am at the Hilton Bayfront Indigo CD and Foyer. The evening will include music and dancing to the Beach Toys, a Beach Boys tribute band, as well as the Silent Auction, featuring sports memorabilia, gifts, clothing, and equipment. Tickets are $25 for members ($10 for students). Purchase tickets by calling APTA Member Services at 800/999-2782, ext 3395, or online by February 11. Tickets will also be available at the door.

"Catch the Buzz" at the Home Health Section Coffee on February 19, 7:00 am-9:00 am at the Hilton Bayfront Indigo Terrace Foyer and meet Foundation-funded researchers. Gentiva Health Services, a Foundation Partner in Research, is sponsoring this event. Free travel mugs will be given to the first 275 guests. Tickets are $15 ($5 for students) and can be purchased through APTA's Member Services Department at 800/999-2782, ext 3395, or online by February 11. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Click of the Week

Debt Management Resources 

As the cost of higher education continues to rise, more students are emerging from graduation encumbered by significant student loan debt. APTA has assembled resources to provide guidance for rising students and soon-to-be professionals.