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Legislation designed to end arbitrary limits on physical therapy
services under Medicare was introduced on the opening day of the 111th
Congress thanks to diligent advocacy by APTA and the support of physical
therapy's friends in the US House and Senate. The Medicare Access to
Rehabilitation Services Act (HR 43/S 46), introduced
to ensure patient access to medically necessary physical therapy,
occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services, would
repeal a provision of the
Balanced Budget Act (BBA) that placed an annual financial
limitation on rehabilitation services under Medicare.
As part of the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA), Congress in 2006 passed
legislation implementing the therapy caps but authorizing the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to create and employ an
exceptions process to permit medically necessary physical therapy,
occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services above cap
levels were such services to meet specified diagnostic and clinical
criteria. The exceptions process was extended at the ends of 2006 and
2007, and again in July 2008, when Congress authorized it until
December 31, 2009.
With the approaching expiration, APTA will be following the
legislative process closely for fixes to the therapy cap, and other
expiring provisions. This page will be updated with all
information as it comes out on this issue.
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- In a letter to Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the Department of
Health and Human Services, APTA asks to delay enforcement of the
Medicare outpatient therapy caps that expire December 31,
2009. Therapy Cap Letter (.pdf) -
11/11/09 NEW!
Updates and Resources
The Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2009
(Medicare Therapy Cap):
Current Bill numbers:
- HR 43 Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009
Referred to House Committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means
- S 46 Latest Major Action: 1/6/2009
Referred to Senate Committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the
Committee on Finance.
History and Background
History
of Medicare's Therapy Cap
What You Can Do
Contact your elected officials using our Legislative
Action Center.
Get your patients active to repeal the Therapy Cap! Provide the
information for those who cannot use the Patient Action Center. The Therapy Cap Patient Bulletin and Sample Patient Letter are great ways to make the
process easier for patients.
If you'd like to get more updates on this and future legislation
dealing with the Medicare Therapy Cap, join our PTeam
today!
What Patients Can Do
Your patients are impacted by many policies and provide an important
perspective on the issues. Patients can contact Congress through APTA's
Patient
Action Center.
[Last updated: 11/19/09 | Contact: advocacy@apta.org]
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