Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

2010 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule Released

On July 1, 2009, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed 2010 Medicare physician fee schedule rule that updates 2010 payment amounts and revises other payment policies. The public will have until August 31 to submit comments in response to this rule. On behalf of its members, APTA will submit comments in response to this rule. After reviewing public comments, CMS will publish a final rule by November 1, which will become effective for services furnished during calendar year 2010. APTA has prepared for its members a highlights document and a comprehensive summary.

Medicare Therapy Cap

January 6 Update: Legislation to Repeal Therapy Caps Introduced

Congressmen Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Mike Ross (D-AR), and Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) introduced The Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act (HR 43/S 46). This legislation will repeal the cap on therapy services for Medicare beneficiaries once and for all. If Congress does not take action by December 31, 2009, the therapy cap will again be imposed on Medicare-covered physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services.

A direct link to this information you are reading now: www.apta.org/medicareupdates.