Medicare Fee Schedule Resource Center
Congress’ Last Actions on Medicare Fee Schedule
Last July, the United States House of Representatives and the Senate
voted to override the Presidential veto to pass HR 6331 -
the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. HR
6331 included critical provisions for physical therapists and their
patients, including legislation to avoid the 10.6% cut in payments under
the Medicare physician fee schedule and the expiration of the therapy
cap exceptions process. The House passed this legislation by a 383-41
vote and by a 70-26 Senate vote. A two-thirds vote was needed by the
House and the Senate to override the Presidential veto. Once the Senate
voted to approve HR 6331, it became law immediately on July 15, 2008.
Without Congress' intervention this year, a cut of 21% in payments
under the Medicare physician fee schedule would occur January 1, 2010.
We are hopeful that a long-term solution to the flawed payment system
will be addressed in overall health care reform.
Updates & Resources
CMS: Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Payment Rates:
2009
Learn more at
www.apta.org/medicareupdates.
Thanks!
The extensive advocacy by physical therapists and patients made the
difference! Thanks for your work to ensure Medicare beneficiaries access
to essential rehabilitation services provided by physical therapists and
physical therapy assistants. APTA will continue to advocate for
long-term policy solutions to the flawed payment formula, a permanent
solution to the therapy cap once and for all, and other Medicare policy
initiatives.
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