Estelle you are absolutely right...and there are two direct access issues. One is the ability to practice without referral (per your state practice act). The second is the referral requirement estabilished by payers including Medicare. As you know, APTA is pursing legislation to allow direct access under Medicare.
You can read about APTA's initiative online at: http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Direct_Access In terms of AOTA's perspective, here are links to three articles. Top Things To Know About Direct Access http://www.aota.org/featured/area2/links/link35cb.asp AOTA Promotes Representative Assembly Policy on Direct Access to Medicare Commission http://www.aota.org/nonmembers/area1/links/link301.asp Update: AOTA Advocates RA Policy on Direct Access to MedPAC http://www.aota.org/nonmembers/area1/links/link304.asp As passed by the Representative Assembly in 2003, AOTA's position is "if Congress considers changes to the physician referral requirements for therapy services under the Medicare program, any such changes should include occupational therapy." The Representative Assembly (RA) is the policy-making body of the Association (the "Congress" of AOTA) >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 7/5/2005 11:51:15 AM >>> Direct access is a state by state issue. In NJ we have had direct access for a number of years. The problem is not direct access. It is reimbursement. If an insurance company will not reimburse without medical referral, then it does not matter if you have direct access. -- Unsubscribe? [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] Help? [EMAIL PROTECTED]
