Ms. Ellie Thebodo
Private Healthcare Systems;
Kansas City Office
2405 Grand Blvd. #1240
Kansas City, MO 64108

Dear Ms. Thebodo:

The American Society of Hand Therapists has had a request from one of its members, Mary Hubbell, MS, OTR, CHT, CWCE, to write a letter of support for Occupational Therapists specializing in hand therapy in your state. It is our understanding that your company plans to drop occupational therapists as providers. We would like to speak to this impending policy.

The treatment of hand and upper extremity injuries is a highly technical subspecialty of occupational and physical therapy. The intricate anatomy of the arm and hand, and the delicate surgery needed to repair them, necessitates a therapist who has had advanced training in these injuries.

Early intervention is critical with these repairs, aiding in the reduction of edema and subsequent scar tissue formation. But early intervention requires that the therapist be current on new techniques and procedures to maximize movement while minimizing risks to the repair. Certified Hand Therapists are subject to stringent continuing education requirements specific to the treatment of upper extremity disorders. We have included a copy of the educational courses given at our recent Annual Meeting as an example of the type of specialized training these therapists attend.

The profession of hand therapy has been predominated by Occupational Therapists. Our association, the only American association specific to hand therapy, is 85% occupational therapists and 15% physical therapists. This mirrors the mix of nationally certified hand therapists, which are also approximately 85% OTs and 15% PTs. In the state of Colorado, the ratio is even greater, with 90% of the Certified Hand Therapists graduating with occupational therapy degrees.

To limit your clients to treatment by physical therapists only may be restricting them from receiving the quality care that Certified Hand Therapists can offer. Ultimately this may lead to extended treatment time or additional injuries and surgeries.

We are requesting that you reconsider the stand you have made on occupational therapy, and that you look at each case individually to determine if they bring expertise that may be critical to the early return of your clients to their previous occupations.

If you have any other questions regarding the specialty of hand therapy, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Ginger Clark, OTR, CHT
2002 President of the American Society of Hand Therapists
 

Shirley Cady, Territory Director                                                                                                                    
National Credentialing Coordinator                                                                                                         
Private Healthcare Systems, Inc.                                                                                                               
1100 Winter Street                                                                                                                               
Waltham, MA 02451-1227

Dear Ms. Cady:

The American Society of Hand Therapists has had a request from one of its members, Mary Hubbell, MS, OTR, CHT, CWCE, to write a letter of support for Occupational Therapists specializing in hand therapy in your state. It is our understanding that your company plans to drop occupational therapists as providers. We would like to speak to this impending policy.

The treatment of hand and upper extremity injuries is a highly technical subspecialty of occupational and physical therapy. The intricate anatomy of the arm and hand, and the delicate surgery needed to repair them, necessitates a therapist who has had advanced training in these injuries.

Early intervention is critical with these repairs, aiding in the reduction of edema and subsequent scar tissue formation. But early intervention requires that the therapist be current on new techniques and procedures to maximize movement while minimizing risks to the repair. Certified Hand Therapists are subject to stringent continuing education requirements specific to the treatment of upper extremity disorders. We have included a copy of the educational courses given at our recent Annual Meeting as an example of the type of specialized training these therapists attend.

The profession of hand therapy has been predominated by Occupational Therapists. Our association, the only American association specific to hand therapy, is 85% occupational therapists and 15% physical therapists. This mirrors the mix of nationally certified hand therapists, which are also approximately 85% OTs and 15% PTs. In the state of Colorado, the ratio is even greater, with 90% of the Certified Hand Therapists graduating with occupational therapy degrees.

To limit your clients to treatment by physical therapists only may be restricting them from receiving the quality care that Certified Hand Therapists can offer. Ultimately this may lead to extended treatment time or additional injuries and surgeries.

We are requesting that you reconsider the stand you have made on occupational therapy, and that you look at each case individually to determine if they bring expertise that may be critical to the early return of your clients to their previous occupations.

If you have any other questions regarding the specialty of hand therapy, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Ginger Clark, OTR, CHT
2002 President of the American Society of Hand Therapists