Fee Schedule Final Rule Should Not Adversely Affect Access to Care

Congress to CMS: Fee Schedule Final Rule Should Not Adversely Affect Access to Care

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.