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Excessive time and resources spent on documentation and administrative tasks can hurt patient outcomes.
Coding and billing, prior authorization, utilization review, excessive documentation standards, overly complex health IT—the unnecessary hoops PTs are required to jump through demand time and energy that could be focused instead on providing patient-centered care. Reduced administrative burden is something that needs to happen in every practice setting and payer, both commercial and federal.
Why It Matters
An APTA survey of members found that nearly 75 percent of respondents believe that administrative burdens such as prior authorization delay access to medically necessary care by 25%, and nearly as many agreed that these burdens negatively impact patient outcomes. More than 8 in 10 said that administrative burden contributes to burnout. And unnecessary burden is costly: our survey found that more than 75% of facilities have added nonclinical staff to accommodate administrative burden.
Care is being shortchanged. Providers are being pushed to their limits. Facilities are being forced to redirect money away from direct care to pay for unnecessary paperwork. It's time for a change.
Our position
APTA vigorously works to fight excessive administrative burden in whatever form it takes, and in all payment systems.
Recommended Content
Jul 1, 2019 / Infographic
Share this infographic that demonstrates how the amount of time and resources spent on documentation and administrative tasks impacts patient clinical outcomes.
Jul 15, 2021 / Position Paper
Bipartisan legislation that would increase oversight and transparency around the use of prior authorization under Medicare Advantage plans and require streamlining and standardization on their use of prior authorization.
Jul 1, 2019 / News
A wide majority of PTs say administrative burden negatively impacts patient outcomes and contributes to clinician burnout.
Additional Administrative Burden Advocacy Content
Sep 20, 2022 / Roundup
Here's the status of APTA-supported legislation on the fee schedule, telehealth, prior authorization, the PTA differential, and more.
Sep 16, 2022 / News
Legislation that takes aim at prior authorization under Medicare Advantage has passed the House and is moving on for Senate approval.
Sep 7, 2022 / News
Policy research cosponsored by APTA reveals potential savings through eased PTA and OTA supervision requirements.
Aug 26, 2022 / Roundup
State advocates for the profession racked up some important wins this year. Here are highlights.
Aug 8, 2022 / Roundup
Advocacy by APTA and its members is paying off in some key ways.
Aug 1, 2022 / Roundup
District offices, town halls, maybe a visit to your clinic? Here are some topics worth mentioning.
May 11, 2022 / News
The findings from the HHS Inspector General's office echo APTA's longstanding concerns with the system.
May 10, 2022 / News
Representatives are urging an APTA-backed move to general supervision for PTAs in outpatient settings.
Mar 15, 2022 / News
APTA and the Private Practice Section have collaborated to create SPARC — the State Payer Advocacy Resource Center.
Dec 1, 2021 / Members Only
Topics discussed: Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, Vaccine Mandates, Commercial Payer Updates