Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Advocacy

CMS is about to impose payment cuts that reduce patient access to PTs and PTAs. Congress must act soon, and your voice matters!

The proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2021 is calling for an estimated 9% decrease in payment for codes tied to Part B physical therapist services.

The proposed 9% cut will do monumental damage—and it won't be limited to Medicare. Care for military veterans will suffer, as PTs who provide community care will be forced into the same unsustainable reimbursement rates. The same is true for PTs in TRICARE, the health insurance system throughout the military. The cuts will make it impossible for many PTs to continue to provide care and create physical therapy deserts in communities across the country. Veterans, active duty personnel, National Guard members, reservists, and their families will find needed care harder to get—if they can get it at all.

Over the past year, APTA and our members have sent thousands of letters to CMS raising concerns about these cuts and providing recommendations to address the problem. CMS has not responded.

We're now calling on Medicare to prevent these cuts, which will reduce patient access and create instability in the health care system.

The time to act is now.

Why It Matters

We should be encouraging access to PTs and PTAs, who can prevent falls, opioid use, and costly procedures. Instead, CMS is creating barriers. These cuts never made sense. During a pandemic, they’re even more devastating.

Our Position

APTA strenuously opposes any attempt to reduce payment for physical therapy under Medicare. We view the planned cut from CMS as a dangerous and shortsighted move that will harm patients and shutter clinic doors.

Take Action Now

It's not too late to participate in the #FightTheCut rally. Two minutes to take action and protect our profession and patients from arbitrary cuts that will reduce action to physical therapy and other rehabilitation services. Your voice matters!

For APTA Members to Contact Medicare

Use APTA's Legislative Action Center to send a letter to your representatives.

Take Action (For Members)

Colleagues, Friends, and Family Contact CMS

You don't need to be an APTA member to take action. Encourage anyone you know (health care colleagues, friends, and family) to contact their members of CMS.

Take Action (Open to All)

For APTA Members and Nonmembers to Contact CMS

Congress isn't the only group that needs to hear from you. We need your help to contact CMS and tell them to stop implementation of these deep cuts to physical therapy providers. Access template letters for contacting CMS on our Regulatory Action Center.