Reply from my Senator!
=====================================================
Dear Mr. Carson:
Thank you for contacting me regarding Medicare therapy caps. I
appreciate hearing from you and would like to respond to your concerns.
Over 40 million seniors are enrolled in the Medicare program across
the United States, with 3 million of these seniors residing in the State of
Florida. Medicare has provided seniors with health security for over 40
years. As the population continues to grow older, the federal government
will face many challenges regarding Medicare funding.
The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 established annual payment limits of
$1,500 for outpatient therapy services provided outside of the hospital
setting. This provision was included to provide a solution to the problem
of the over-utilization of therapy services. The therapy cap was
implemented in 1999, but Congress passed the Balanced Budget Refinement Act
(P.L. 106-113) in 2000 that instituted a two year moratorium on Medicare
therapy caps. This moratorium was recently extended through 2007.
As you may know, Senator John Ensign (R-NV) introduced the Medicare
Access to Rehabilitation Services Act (S.450) on January 31, 2007. This
legislation would permanently repeal the outpatient therapy cap. S. 450
has been referred to the Senate Committee on Finance, where it awaits
further consideration. Although I do not serve on this committee, please
know that I will keep your thoughtful comments in mind.
Again, thank you for sharing your views. If you would like
additional information about issues and activities important to Florida,
please sign up for my weekly newsletter at http://martinez.senate.gov.
Sincerely,
Mel Martinez
United States Senator
=====================================================
----- Original Message -----
From: Laura Obara <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2007
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subj: [OTlist] Fwd: Action Needed To Stop the Medicare Therapy Cap on OT
> Done!
> It's easy to do since the website did most of the work! ;-)
> Laura Obara, OTR/L
> Occupational Therapy
> Chicago Read Mental Health Center
> 4200 North Oak Park Avenue
> Chicago, IL 60634
> 773.794.3759 TTY
> 773.794.3760voice/tty
> 773.794.3772 Fax
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 10/31/2007 9:48 AM >>>
> I sent my e-mails today. How about you?? If not, use the link below!!
> Ron
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ron Carson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 30, 2007
> To: OTlist <[email protected]>
> Subj: [OTlist] Fwd: Action Needed To Stop the Medicare Therapy Cap on
> OT
> http://capwiz.com/aota/issues/alert/?alertid=10410596
> --
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**************************************************************************************
Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs
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