A proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is drawing criticism from physical therapists (PTs) over additional requirements that PTs would need to meet to qualify as providers of custom orthoses and prostheses—and APTA is making it easy for members to let CMS know what they think.

As reported by PT in Motion News in January, the proposed rule is meant to tighten up requirements around who CMS will work with when it comes to making and furnishing a wide range of devices. For PTs, the most notable parts of the proposed rule involve a requirement that providers must be "licensed by the state [as a qualified provider of prosthetics and custom orthotics], or … certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics … or by the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification." The additional administrative and financial burdens could affect thousands of PTs across the country.

APTA will provide CMS with comments on the proposed rule before the March 13 deadline. In the meantime, the association is urging members to get details on the proposal via an APTA fact sheet on the rule, and to make their individual voices heard by providing comments to CMS. APTA has created a member-protected template letter and instructions that make it easy for members to let CMS know why the proposal would increase costs and restrict patient access to PTs already qualified to provide custom devices. The template may be downloaded and shared with colleagues who also may be affected by the proposed rule.