The American Occupational Therapy Association has scheduled an AOTA Hill Day, September 20th, 2010. This is a great opportunity for ASHT members who are also OTs to advocate for the OT profession and to speak to members of Congress about how OT benefits consumers and society.
Among the legislative issues that are of particular concern to hand therapists are the Medicare Part B therapy caps, changes to the Medicare Physician's Fee Schedule, billing for orthotics, and health care reform.
To learn more about this event and to register, visit the AOTA Website and click on the link to AOTA's Legislative Center.
Please give serious consideration to this opportunity to step outside of your comfort zone and rally in support of the OT profession in a grassroots effort to bring about effective change that will benefit OT, hand therapy, and all members of our community who rely on us for excellent care.
On June 25, 2010 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed 2011 Medicare fee schedule and revised payment policies.
What this may mean for you:
- 41% reduction in reimbursement
- 23.5% reduction to update sustainable growth
- 12% reduction by combining OT, PT, SLP and paying 100% of the most expensive code on that day and 50% on all subsequent codes
- 6.1% fee schedule reduction at the beginning of the year
- Change in the way you do business?
- Discontinue treating patients with Medicare?
- Take a personal pay cut to stay in business?
- Never allow OT, PT, SLP to see patients on the same day?
- Click here to see full positions from ASHT, AOTA and APTA or for additional details on the proposed CMS 2011 Medicare fee schedule.
What can you do:
- Write a letter explaining your concerns including the impact the proposed changes will have on you and your clients. Click here for a sample letter and links where you can submit your comments.
- Encourage others to write letters. Patient and physician support is very important to this effort.
The public will have until August 24, 2010 to submit comments in response to this rule
Please encourage patients and referring physicians also to complete and send a sample letter. Click here for sample patient letter. Click here for sample physician letter
