Skip to main content

MACRA Makes Macro Changes

Column
Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2015
Author: Gayle Lee, JD

As provisions of the new law take effect, PTs had best adopt quality measures and learn more about innovative care-delivery models being created in their communities.

After years of advocacy by physical therapists (PTs) and other health care professionals, Congress earlier this year passed the Medicare Access and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA)1 to repeal the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula.

This legislation, signed into law by President Obama on April 16, was the last in a long line of annual temporary "fixes" that since 2003 had prevented a large payment cut for PTs and other health care professionals from taking effect. MACRA also further extends the therapy cap exceptions process to December 31, 2017, and includes numerous other provisions affecting PTs. It lays the groundwork for significant changes to Medicare reimbursement for PTs and other health care professionals over the next decade and beyond.

Log in or create a free account to keep reading.

Join APTA to get unlimited access to content.

Create a free account Log in
  1. Text of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/114/hr2/text. Accessed June 24, 2015.
  2. PT in Motion News, April 11, 2014. "AMA: Massive CMS Data Release Could Be Misleading. http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/NewsNow/2014/4/11/AMAonCMSData/. Accessed June 24, 2015.
  3. Lee G. The promise and challenges of transparency. PT in Motion. 2014;6(8):8-10.
Share This
Resource Details

Date: September 1, 2015
Contact:  aptamag@apta.org
Content Type:  Column

Author(s)

Gayle Lee, JD

You Might Also Like...

Article

Federal Grant Rule Could Reshape Physical Therapy Research, Education, and Care

A proposed rule that would reshape how federal grants are awarded across nearly every federal agency could threaten the physical therapy profession's capacity

Article

Physical Therapy Education Applicant Numbers Reach Record in 2025–2026 Cycle

Interest in physical therapy careers remains strong, with the number of applicants to Doctor of Physical Therapy programs reaching a record high in the

Article

Continuing the Fight: APTA Advances Medicare Payment Reform

Advocacy continues for meaningful Medicare payment reform as APTA advances a coordinated strategy across Congress and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid