Therapy Blog

APTA President Scott Ward recently posted his thoughts on HR 3590, just signed into law. APTA’s advocacy efforts were successful in aligning some details of the law with APTA objectives to position physical therapy as a cost-effective, worthwhile healthcare option that should be accessible to all who need it. Following are some main points of the law that will affect the PT profession:

1. It extends the Therapy Cap Exceptions Process for 2010. A one-year extension is in effect through December 31, 2010.

2. It authorizes a study of Direct Access Under Medicare. Studies will be conducted on new delivery models, including patient Direct Access to physical therapy services under Medicare.

3. Creates Rural Payment Equity under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

4. Provides Rehabilitation as a Required Minimum Health Care Benefit as part of the health care insureance exchange.

5. Protects patients against denial or recission of coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions.

You can read more about the APTA’s position on their website and receive updates as this legislation evolves.

“We are very pleased to have earned this certification.  This will allow us to offer a greater variety of assignments to our therapists,” said company President Melanie Reiten.  Reiten began her career in therapy and general employment staffing in 1986 and has owned Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. since its inception in 1994.

“For me, this profession has always been about caring for my employees and clients and providing excellence in patient care.  We are seasoned professionals with more than 70 years of combined experience in rehab therapy staffing.  We understand the nuances of recruiting for healthcare settings,  including compliance, licensure, and education requirements.  I feel it’s this type of culture that makes Preferred Healthcare the most respected rehab staffing company in California,” said Reiten.

Under Reiten’s leadership, Preferred Healthcare Registry, Inc. has been recognized as one of the “25 Fastest-Growing Woman-Owned Companies”, one of the “Top 25 Staffing Companies” and one of the most “Excellent Places To Work in San Diego.”  Preferred Healthcare Registry is a Silver member of California Staffing Professionals (CSP), the American Staffing Association (ASA), Society For Human Resource Management (SHRM), active in Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), a member of the Occupational Therapy Association of California (OTAC), Business Partner of the California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA) and Corporate Member of the Texas Occupational Therapy Association (TOTA).

While WellPoint (parent company to Anthem Blue Cross) saw profits grow eightfold in the fourth quarter of 2009, it is proposing to increase individual policy premiums by as much as 39 percent.

This increase is proposed as Anthem Blue Cross’ new payment model is being introduced. The new model changes the current payment system to one where providers will be paid $75 per visit regardless of the treatment(s) provided or the intensity of those treatment(s). 

Take action against this payment system!

Here are suggested talking points and a sample letter when you contact your congressperson.

The recent passage of healthcare legislation will provide health insurance to more than 30 million people who do not have it now. The new law would prevent insurers from refusing to cover people with pre-existing conditions and would also limit the amount a person would have to pay for his or her own care. This legislation will be hotly debated over the next several weeks, and will change the way healthcare facilities do business.
Much of the funding for the reform will come from reductions to Medicare and Medicaid programs which will undergo a major overhaul. Read more about the proposed changes and how they could affect the future of the rehab therapy profession in this article from Modern Healthcare. 

Also soon to affect rehab therapy patients and therapists are the Medicare caps which will go into effect on January 1, 2010. These limits will be placed on outpatient rehabilitation services and will affect many older Americans who require extensive physical therapy to recover from stroke, injuries, fractures and more. Many rehab therapists feel that the failure to ensure these benefits for seniors is in sharp contrast to the healthcare reform package promising coverage for all Americans. Read more about the APTA’s response to the caps and other healthcare legislation on their website.

What do you think? How do you feel about the way this could affect your patients and your profession?