On Monday, Rep Earl Pomeroy (D-ND) sent a letter, signed by 68 members of Congress, to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Donald Berwick, MD, to express concern over the agency’s proposal to significantly cut payment for outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services in the CY 2011 physician fee schedule proposed rule. The letter also asks that CMS provide Congress with a detailed explanation of the methodology used to calculate the new rates and requests that the agency work closely with stakeholders in the rehabilitation community toward the production of a final rule that will not adversely affect access to care, particularly in rural and other underserved areas.

www.CompleteHomeTherapy.com

Yesterday, the Senate passed an amended H.R. 4851, the Continuing Extension Act by a vote of 59-48 and sent it to the House for consideration.  The House then passed the measure by 289-112 and it was quickly signed by President Obama.  This legislation prevents the 21.2% physician fee schedule payment cut by extending 2009 rates until May 31st, 2010, and is retroactive to March 31.  The bill addresses other key expiring provisions as well, such as unemployment insurance and COBRA benefits. 

The below message regarding claims was sent out to members of the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services listserv this morning:

On April 15, 2010, President Obama signed into law the "Continuing Extension Act of 2010".  This law extends through May 31, 2010, the zero percent update to the MPFS that was in effect for claims with dates of service January 1, 2010, to March 31, 2010.  The law is retroactive to April 1, 2010.  Consequently, effective immediately, claims with dates of service April 1 and later, which were being held by Medicare contractors, are being released for processing and payment.  Please keep in mind that the statutory payment floors still apply and, therefore, clean electronic claims cannot be paid before 14 calendar days after the date they are recieved by Medicare contractors (29 calendar days for clean paper claims). 

a division of Douglass Orthopedic & Spine Rehabilitation, Inc.

Presents:

Thomas Eberle MSPT, DPT, DMT, FAAOMPT

 Eric (Rick) Douglass PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT

 THE CERVICAL SPINE

May 15^th/16th^th $399 @ Douglass Orthopedic & Spine Rehabilitation, Inc.  in Bonita Springs, Florida

 An evidenced based approach to the evaluation and treatment of acute and chronic cervical pathologies. Tissue specific evaluation, thrust and non-thrust mobilisations, soft tissue mobilisation, therapeutic exercises, and nutritional affects on healing will be presented. This course will occur in a clinical setting with adjustable mobilisation tables for ALL participants. Class size is limited to 24 students, guaranteeing a maximum instructor to student ratio will of 12:1. 18 CEHs.

To register, please email Eric (Rick) Douglass at edouglass@douglasspt.com and I will forward a registration form to you or, simply call (239)947-4184 and speak with the receptionist at Douglass Orthopedic & Spine Rehabilitation, Inc.  All major credit cards accepted.

WWW.COMPLETEHOMETHERAPY.COM

Senate Passes H.R. 4213; Therapy Cap Exceptions and Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Fix Included

The bill now has to be passed by the House

Any one ever come across this?

Forum discussion…

JP

The Senate Finance Committee completed mark up of its health care reform legislation (America’s Healthy Future Act) this morning, which includes a provision on direct access to physical therapy care. On Tuesday, the committee passed an amendment by Sen Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) that would add a program to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation Center to research direct access models for expanding access to physical therapy for Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas.

The Finance Committee mark requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create an Innovation Center under CMS. The Innovation Center will be authorized to test, evaluate, and expand different payment structures and methodologies that aim to foster patient-centered care, improve quality, and slow the rate of Medicare cost growth.

This amendment would allow the Innovative Center to study the ability and impact of certain seniors and individuals with disabilities who reside in primary care health professional shortage areas that are located in a rural area to access the services of a physical therapist regardless of whether the individual is under the care of (or referred by) a physician or whether the services provided are under the supervision of a physician.

This amendment is a small victory toward achieving direct access across the board for all PTs, APTA says. The association will continue its long-term efforts to achieve direct access across all areas and practice settings.

The legislation and accepted amendments will be scored by the Congressional Budget Office over the weekend. A vote to report out this legislation is expected on October 6.