APTA has posted new instructions to help members use the multiple procedure payment reduction (MPPR) calculators to determine their payment for services in 2013 based on the MPPR only and compare 2012 payments with 2013 payments. The downloadable step-by-step instructions include screen captures and example scenarios to better illustrate the fields that users must complete to calculate and compare payment amounts.       

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (HR 8) applies the MPPR to therapy services at 50%, up from 20% for office settings and 25% for facility settings, beginning April 1. APTA estimates the application of a 50% MPPR policy will reduce payments by approximately 6%-7%. This reduction will be partially offset by a 4% increase in the practice expense values that resulted from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' use of new survey data of practice expenses conducted by APTA. The impact of the MPPR reduction on individual practices and facilities will vary depending on the CPT codes billed and the typical duration of the therapy sessions.

APTA will advocate to stop the implementation of the MPPR provision.

For more information on the MPPR, other provisions included in HR 8, and new functional limitation reporting requirements that went into effect January 1, go to APTA's 2013 Medicare Changes webpage.

In response to an APTA House of Delegates resolution passed in June 2012, complimentary "read only" access to Hooked on Evidence now is available all health care practitioners and health care students worldwide in an effort to advance evidence-based practice by all physical therapists and physical therapist assistants.

Non-APTA members visiting Hooked on Evidence for the first time will be asked to create a username and password that they will use every time they visit Hooked on Evidence to search the database. APTA members and others who already have established a login to the APTA website can access the database by logging in.

If you have previously logged into either the Hooked on Evidence or APTA website and do not recall your login information, try using the "Forgot your Password" feature on the login page to request reset instructions. You may also contact APTA Member Services at 800/999-2782 for help.

During the month of January APTA members can enjoy a free recorded audio conference (up to a $99 value) on us!

To redeem your free recorded audio conference course: 

1.      Select 1 course from the recorded audio conference options.

2.      Click the Purchase Now link and complete the online store transaction (login required). At the View Shopping Chart phase, click Enter Vouchers. Enter promotion code: CEUMBR113. The member price for the program will be $0.

3.      Once you receive your order confirmation number, go to My Courses to launch the course.

This offer is nontransferable. Questions? E-mail Member Services, or call 800/999-2782, ext 3395, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am-6:00 pm ET.

Do you know of an APTA member who in 2012 went above and beyond to advocate on behalf of the physical therapy profession at the federal level? Is there a legislator, staffer, or public figure who championed physical therapy causes in 2012? Nominate them for the Federal Government Affairs Leadership Award or the APTA Public Service Award.

The Federal Government Affairs Leadership Award is presented annually to an active APTA member who has made significant contributions to APTA's federal government affairs efforts and has shown exemplary leadership in furthering the association's objectives in the federal arena.

The APTA Public Service Award is presented annually to individuals who have demonstrated distinctive support for the physical therapy profession at a national level. Individuals from the following categories are eligible for nomination of this award: members of Congress, congressional staff members, members of a state legislature, federal agency officials, health and legislative association staff, and celebrities or other public figures.

APTA's Board of Directors will select award recipients during its March 2013 conference call. Awards will be presented at the Federal Advocacy Forum to be held April 14-16, in Washington, DC.

Please submit your nominations by Monday, February 11, to Stephanie Sadowski at stephaniesadowski@apta.org or fax to 703/706–8536. If you have questions, call Stephanie Sadowski at 800/999-2782, ext 3127.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) yesterday further clarified the regulations on the new functional limitation reporting requirements to include reporting on patients who have Medicare part B as a primary insurance and those who have Medicare part B as a secondary insurance.

CMS was mandated to collect information on claim forms regarding beneficiaries' function and condition, therapy services furnished, and outcomes achieved on patient function by the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2012. As of January 1, all practice settings that provide outpatient therapy services must include the functional limitation data on the claim form. To ensure a smooth transition, CMS sets forth a testing period January 1-July 1. After July 1, claims submitted without the appropriate G-codes and modifiers will be returned unpaid. For additional details and resources on these new requirements, see the FAQ under General Information on APTA's Functional Limitation Reporting Under Medicare webpage.