As the debate about the fate of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its replacement—if any—begins to take center stage in Washington, APTA and 2 other therapy organizations have joined together to urge the Secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to focus on access to “affordable, high-quality, and patient-centered health insurance coverage” that includes strong … Read full post
Physical Therapy Outcomes Registry Open for Business, Ready to Make History
After several years of careful development, APTA has launched what it predicts will be a new chapter in the history of the physical therapy profession: the Physical Therapy Outcomes Registry (Registry). The project aims to build an extensive nationwide repository of patient and practice data that APTA Chief Executive Officer Justin Moore, PT, DPT, describes as “a bridge from our … Read full post
Welcome Back: Therapy Cap Repeal Is Reintroduced in Congress
After falling short by the narrowest of margins in 2015, an APTA-supported bill to end the Medicare therapy cap has been reintroduced in both houses of Congress. And now it’s time for the physical therapy community to make its voice heard.
The bill, named the Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act (HR 807, S 253) would repeal the therapy cap … Read full post
Getting Ready For Payment Changes
A new guide to using the 3 new tiered evaluation codes that come into play January 1, 2017, gives APTA members a quick graphical explanation of the criteria for determining when an evaluation is considered “low,” “moderate,” or “high” complexity. Developed by APTA, the guide is available as a 2-page printable PDF download and, as a bonus, is being included … Read full post
Outpatient Payment, Home Health Fact Sheets Now Available From APTA
Now available to APTA members: context and details to help you understand final 2017 rules from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the home health (HH PPS) and outpatient (OPPS) prospective payment systems.
The final OPPS rule, which grabbed headlines earlier this year for its elimination of pain management questions from patient satisfaction surveys, also includes payment … Read full post
Quick Guide and Call-In Q&A Are Latest New Resources to Prepare for Payment in 2017
A new guide to using the 3 new tiered evaluation codes that come into play January 1, 2017, gives APTA members a quick graphical explanation of the criteria for determining when an evaluation is considered “low,” “moderate,” or “high” complexity. Developed by APTA, the guide is available as a 2-page printable PDF download and, as a bonus, is being included … Read full post
Get the Facts on the 2017 Fee Schedule
Now available to APTA members: context and details to help you understand the final 2017 physician fee schedule rule from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
The rule covers Medicare Part B services that apply to physical therapists (PTs) and other providers. This year, in addition to the more typical changes, such as adjustments in the conversion factor … Read full post
DPTA encourages you to get involved with the #ChoosePT initiative
Over the past 15 years, increasing numbers of Americans have been prescribed opioids for pain management. Sales of prescription opioids have quadrupled since 1999. So have deaths related to prescription opioids. So have heroin-related deaths.
APTA’s #ChoosePT campaign raises awareness about the dangers of prescription opioids and encourages consumers and prescribers to choose safer alternatives like physical therapy, consistent with … Read full post