Ron, 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 PT legislation addresses direct access to physical therapists. A recent MedPac report examines this issue and provides background information. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) is an independent federal body established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (P.L. 105-33) to advise the U.S. Congress on issues affecting the Medicare program. The Commission's statutory mandate is quite broad: In addition to advising the Congress on payments to private health plans participating in Medicare and providers in Medicare's traditional fee-for-service program, MedPAC is also tasked with analyzing access to care, quality of care, and other issues affecting Medicare. Report to the Congress: Eliminating Physician Referrals to Physical Therapy (December 2004) <http://www.medpac.gov/publications/congressional_reports/Dec04_PTaccess.pdf> http://www.medpac.gov/publications/congressional_reports/Dec04_PTaccess.pdf Chuck
________________________________ From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] on behalf of Ron Carson Sent: Wed 3/21/2007 7:56 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [OTlist] Direct Access to Physical Therapy Legislation - CHUCK??? ====================================================================== The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) strongly supports the re-introduction of the Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapist Act of 2007 (HR 1552 and S. 932). This legislation would allow Medicare beneficiaries to directly access physical therapists for outpatient services as authorized by state law. ====================================================================== Chuck, do you know if OT is considered in this legislation or is it just PT? Thanks, Ron -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
-- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
