An innovative payment advocacy resource center for APTA members has expanded its collection: The one-stop source, known as the State Payer Advocacy Resource Center, or SPARC, now includes tools to assist with payment advocacy across an even wider range of issues, including the Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction system, or MPPR, and differential payment for services delivered by PTAs.

Launched in 2022 through collaboration between APTA and APTA Private Practice, SPARC began with a focus on prior authorization and utilization management. The site, which offers big-picture as well as more nuts-and-bolts resources, now includes everything from the history of the PTA differential to a checklist of issues PTs should be aware of when considering entering into an agreement with a managed care provider.

Many SPARC resources are available to non-APTA Private Practice members; these are divided into six sections, most with multiple links: MPPR; prior authorization/utilization management; denials, internal appeals, and external reviews; the PTA differential; title and term protection; and model contract language. The MPPR section alone has 19 new resources accessible to all APTA members. Members of APTA Private Practice receive access to additional payment information.

To access the SPARC resources for APTA members, visit the SPARC site, click on "APTA-only Members Access SPARC Resources," and log in using your APTA ID number and your last name.