11-30-07
Congress Faces Decisions on Therapy Caps, Inpatient Rehab, Physician Fee Schedule Cuts
Congress has significant issues to resolve before convening the first session of the 110th Congress on December 21.
Lawmakers will have 3 weeks to pass legislation in the Senate and compromise with the House of Representatives on legislation addressing Medicare issues, including provisions AOTA has long advocated for such as extending the therapy cap exceptions process; preventing a 10% cut to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (that in turn provides payment to occupational therapy); and freezing the threshold for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF) at 60%, thereby helping to ensure appropriate access to more individuals who need intensive rehabilitation.
AOTA’s Legislative Action Center provides you with background information on these issues and the ability to contact your members of Congress to support the following critical issues affecting occupational therapy. Each link provides the current status and ability to e-mail a form letter or make a phone call.
Medicare Therapy Caps: Extend the Exceptions Process
Unless Congress acts by December 31, 2007, the Medicare outpatient occupational therapy caps will return at $1,810 on January 1, 2008.
AOTA is advocating for Congress to extend the current therapy cap exceptions process for 2008 and 2009 to allow for AOTA and other provider and consumer groups to work with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Congress to find an appropriate long-term solution. Recently, Representatives Xavier Beccera (D-CA), Phil English (R-PA), Mike Ross (D-AR) and Chip Pickering (R-MS) are circulating a “Dear Colleague” letter to the House Ways and Means, and Energy and Commerce Committees in support of passing legislation extending the exceptions process.
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Payments: Prevent the 10% Cut
AOTA also continues to advocate for Congress to pass legislation to prevent the scheduled 10% cut to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. We need your help! Allowing cuts to Medicare payments will only limit the ability of the profession to appropriately treat its patients. See the Action Alert in the AOTA Legislative Action Center and contact your members of Congress.
Inpatient Rehab Facilities: Maintain Patient Access
Congress is also considering the inclusion of legislation to change the regulation commonly known as the "75 percent rule," which requires that at least 75% of the IRF patient population to have 1 of 13 designated medical conditions for which intensive inpatient rehabilitation services are medically necessary. AOTA and other provider and consumer groups need your help to urge Congress to include a provision in the Medicare bill that will freeze the 75% rule for IRFs at the 60% threshold, helping to ensure appropriate access to individuals who need intensive rehabilitation so they may return to their homes and communities. See the Action Alert in the Legislative Action Center and contact your members of Congress in support of freezing the IRF threshold.
Act now! Be a part of your profession’s future and help guide policies that will impact occupational therapy by contacting your members of Congress through AOTA’s Legislative Action Center. Contact the AOTA Federal Affairs Department with questions or comments at 1-800-SAY-AOTA or fad@aota.org.