Excerpt from http://www.medpac.gov/publications/congressional_reports/Dec04_PTaccess.pdf :
“…Changing the physician requirements for outpatient PT services is likely to have repercussions for other services. In a letter to MedPAC, the American Occupational Therapy Association(AOTA) notes that rehabilitation services—including physical and occupational therapies (OT)and speech-language pathology—are treated the same under Medicare.(10) It asserts that if changes were made to the requirements for physician certification and recertification requirements for PT, then changes should be made to OT and speech-language pathology. The position of the AOTA regarding the physician requirements is under consideration. Last year,AOTA noted that there were important public policy reasons to ensure that physicians review the therapy plan of care and attest to a continuing medical need for therapy services.(11) 10 American Occupational Therapy Association. 2004. Letter to MedPAC, September 28. 11 American Occupational Therapy Association. 2003. Comment letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Department of Health and Human Services, January 23. http://www.cms.gov/faca.ppac.writ_aota.pdf. ____________________________________________________________________________ Dear Chuck: I really hope that our current stance on this issue will not come back to bite us. 1. AOTA here apparently speaks for OT and SLP. Although, ASHA has categorically stated that is in favor of the direct access for PT in order to promote their ambitions for direct access. Also, SLP, PT and OT are not “treated the same under Medicare”. * In private practice (where direct access is most applicable), SLP is not covered, but OT and PT are. * In Home Health, OT is not a qualifying discipline but SLP and PT are. * For CORF/ Rehab Agency (again where direct access will matter), PT is a necessary service for enrollment. OT is not. 2. AOTA’s assertion that “there were important public policy reasons to ensure that physicians review …therapy services” may jeopardize our own direct access aspirations, while PT has been gaining much ground at least in the states. It is important to note that PT already has much leverage with more insurance companies and Medicaid programs compared to OT. 3. APTA has strategically changed its official definition on PT which now includes "diagnosis". Interestingly, SLP and audiology do, too. PT schools are offering radiology and differential diagnosis courses. The argument that PTs can "diagnose" within their scope (as with any medical specialization), and that they can medically screen for referrals to other medical specialties for issues that is not, is well served. As an OT in business, and a proponent of autonomous practice (as I believe that is the true "professional" status), I feel the current stance by AOTA (playing neutral) puts us in bad light. How can we say we want both- direct access as well as physician control? Joe Wells, OTD, OTR/L For ASHA’s viewpoint, click on- HYPERLINK "http://www.asha.org/about/publications/leader-online/archives/2005/050301/0 50301e.htm"http://www.asha.org/about/publications/leader-online/archives/200 5/050301/050301e.htm -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Chuck Willmarth Sent: Thursday, March 22, 2007 7:24 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [OTlist] Direct Access to Physical Therapy Legislation -CHUCK??? 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 **************************************************************************** ********** -- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.4/702 - Release Date: 2/25/2007 3:16 PM -- Internal Virus Database is out-of-date. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.4/702 - Release Date: 2/25/2007 3:16 PM
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