Advocacy Highlights
Find out how AOTA is advocating for you and your clients, and the occupational therapy profession as a whole.
Understand the impact of federal and state legislative and regulatory developments, and how continued advocacy efforts are vital in protecting your ability to practice and be reimbursed for your services.
Then, find out how you can get involved in your national and state associations. You can make a difference!
For the latest federal news, visit AOTA's Legislative Action Center.
Resources
- CMS Issues FY 2014 Proposed Rules for Skilled Nursing, Inpatient Rehab Facilities, Acute-Care and Long-Term Care Hospitals, and Hospice
- New CMS Rules on Manual Medical Reviews in Outpatient Therapy
- AOTA advocates for Occupational Therapy, Mental Health, and the Schools
- Colorado General Assembly Approves Legislation to License OTs and OTAs
- April 1st No Joke for Occupational Therapy Practitioners: Mandatory sequestration cuts and increased MPPR go into effect
- Manual Medical Reviews: Guidance for Outpatient Therapy Providers
- MedPAC March 2013 Report to the Congress
- ADD YOUR VOICE IN SUPPORT OF THE THERAPY CAP REPEAL!
- AOTA Files Comments on Medicaid Proposed Rule
- CHANGES TO OUTPATIENT THERAPY SERVICES UNDER MEDICARE FOR 2013
- Jimmo v. Sebelius: The so-called Medicare "Improvement Standard" Deemed Illegal, Skilled Maintenance Care Now Covered
- Functional Data Collection Requirements for Outpatient Therapy (CY 2013)
- Recent Fiscal Cliff Legislation and the Implications for Occupational Therapy
- HHS Releases New Health Privacy Rule
- Congress Acts to Address Therapy Cap and Fiscal Cliff—Mixed Bag for Therapy
- With negotiations still stalled to address the "fiscal cliff", SGR, and therapy caps Congressional action prior to January 1, 2013 remains unlikely. Keep the pressure on your member of Congress to take action!
- AOTA Files Comments on Multi-State Plan Program Proposed Rule
- AOTA Files Comments on Essential Health Benefits Proposed Rule
- Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule CY 2013
- MedPAC Recommends Severe Cuts to Medicare Outpatient Therapy- Read More
- CMS Issues Final Home Health PPS Rule for 2013
- Manual Medical Review for Outpatient Therapy: Implementation Phases, Documentation, and the Pre-Approval Process
- MedPAC October 2012 Meeting: Potential Changes to Medicare’s Payment System for Outpatient Therapy
- Power Mobility Prior Authorization Demonstration – CMS Special ODF Scheduled for October 24, 2012
- AOTA Advocates for Consumers
- MedPAC September 2012 Meeting: Improving Medicare’s Payment System for Outpatient Therapy Services
- Medicare Part B Outpatient Therapy Cap and Exceptions Process for 2012: FAQs
- AOTA Comments on CY 2013 Home Health PPS Proposed Rule
- AOTA Comments on CY 2013 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
- Cahaba Coverage Policy on IRF Admission after Single Joint Replacement Surgery
- Medicare Proposed Rule: Functional Data Collection for Outpatient Therapy (beg. January 2013)
- CMS Issues Notices for Skilled Nursing, Inpatient Rehab Facilities and Hospice
- AOTA Analysis: 2013 Fee Schedule Proposed Rule - pdf, 340 kb -
- Health Reform Today: AOTA’s Work After the Supreme Court Decision
- CMS Issues Proposed Home Health PPS Rule for 2013
- Pennsylvania OT Practice Act Amendments Signed Into Law After Initial Veto
- CMS Power Mobility Devices Demonstration Project
- Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Reform Law: AOTA Analysis
- 7-13-12 - CMS Issues CY 2013 Proposed Physician Fee Schedule Rule
- AOTA Comments on Proposed Rule Regarding EHB Data Collection (July 3, 2012)
- AOTA-APTA-ASHA Proposal for Limiting Manual Medical Reviews of Outpatient Therapy Claims
- MedPAC Update
- AOTA Issues Policy Statement on Complex Rehabilitation Technology
- CMS Analysis of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) Outcomes
- First Ever Mental Health OT Congressional Briefing Held
- DOTPA Annual Report Released; OTs Participating in Outpatient Therapy Data Collection Efforts
- CMS Revises OT Qualifications under Medicaid
- AOTA Comments to House Ways and Means Committee on the SGR and Payment Alternatives -
- U.S. Supreme Court to Rule on the Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act
- AOTA Meets with CMS about the Medicare Part B Outpatient Therapy Cap and Exceptions Process for 2012
- Comments to NCQA on Technical Specifications for ACOs
- WPS Low Vision Services Coverage Policy - Updated 4/09/12 -
- AOTA Comments on Draft National Plan to Address Alzheimer’s Disease -
- AOTA Comments to MedPAC regarding Outpatient Therapy Services (March 2012) -
- March 2012 Federal Legislative Update - pdf, 293 kb
- Rates for Orthotics Provided to Medicare Patients
- MedPAC March 2012 Report to Congress-AOTA Analysis
- CMS Revises Outpatient Hospital Referral Policy -
- Medicare SNF Requirements -
- Medicare Part A Home Health Requirements
- DMEPOS Supplier Final Rule Released
- Disability and Rehabilitation Research Coalition (DRRC) Letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee Regarding Research Priorities - pdf, 325 kb
- Final Rule on Health Insurance Purchasing Exchanges Released
- Rates for Orthotics Provided to Medicare Patients – Member Input Needed
- AOTA Gains Victory in Passage of the Tax Extenders Legislation
- Therapy Cap Extension Expiring End of February: Contact Congress Now
- AOTA Comments on HHS CCIIO Essential Health Benefits Bulletin (January 31, 2012) - pdf, 160 kb
- Occupational Therapy a Part of California’s Autism Advisory Task Force
- AOTA Letter to Support the National Acquired Brain Injury Plan Act - pdf, 184 kb
- Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) 2012 AOTA Fact Sheet -
- AOTA Comments on NQF Multiple Chronic Conditions Measurement Framework
- AOTA Comments on Medicaid OT and OTA Qualifications -
- The Super Committee Fails to Agree on Bi-partisan Action- Therapy Cap and Other Medicare Issues Unaddressed
- AOTA Members Across the Country Testify at Department of Health and Human Services Listening Session on Essential Health Benefits in the Affordable Care Act
- AOTA Analysis: Final Home Health PPS Rule (Members only) - pdf, 175 kb -
- Supreme Court Hears Health Care Reform Challenges
- Advocate for OT as an Essential Health Benefit: Listening Sessions Near You
- CMS Announces 2012 Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 National Conference – March 2012 – St. Louis, Missouri
- Calling All OT Innovators!
- CY 2012 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (Final Rule)
- Comments for Essential Health Benefits Listening Session - pdf, 448 kb
- CMS Issues Final Home Health PPS Rule for 2012
- Essential Health Benefits: Balancing Coverage and Cost - AOTA Analysis of the Institute of Medicine Report
- AOTA Analysis: Final Rule for Medicare Shared Savings Program and Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs)
- 9-30-11 - AOTA Podcasts Now Available - FY 2012 SNF PPS Final Rule (Members only) -
- AOTA Comments on the Summary of Benefits and Coverage and Uniform Glossary (October 21, 2011) - pdf, 148 kb -
- AOTA Online Submission Statement for the Record: Health Subcommittee of the House Ways and Means Committee: Hearing on Expiring Medicare Payment Policies - pdf, 216 kb
- Dept. of Health & Human Services Plan for Retrospective Review of Existing Rules (2011)
- Occupational Therapy Practitioners Help AOTA Reach Hill Day Peak
- 9-6-11 - AOTA Comments on 2012 Proposed Home Health PPS Rule (Members only) - pdf, 171 kb -
- Final IDEA Part C Regulations Released
- 8-26-11 - AOTA Analysis: Proposed Home Health PPS Rule (Members) - pdf, 100 kb -
- AOTA Comments on 2012 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule (Members only) -
- Medicare Providers Must Begin to Revalidate Enrollment By March 2013
- AOTA Analysis: Final Skilled Nursing Facility PPS Rule for FY 2012 (Members only) - pdf, 263 kb -
- 8-18-11 - Assessment and Treatment for Driving Added to Medicare Contractor Policy -
- 2012 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule Summary for Occupational Therapy (Members only) - pdf, 593 kb -
- CMS National Provider Call: MDS 3.0 Changes Relating to SNF PPS Final Rule
- CMS Adopts IRF Final Rule for Fiscal Year 2012
- CMS Adopts Hospice Final Rule for Fiscal Year 2012
- CMS Releases Proposed Rule for Community Mental Health Centers with a Big Role for OT
- 7-28-11 - CMS Issues Proposed Home Health PPS Rule for 2012
- 6-28-11 - AOTA Submits Comments to CMS regarding Proposed SNF PPS Rule for 2012 (Members-only) - pdf, 408 kb -
- 7-21-11 - OIG Releases Reports Regarding SNFs
- Adjustment of Therapy Claims Subject to 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Changes
- AOTA Letter to HHS on Reducing Regulatory Burden (EO 13563) (June 30, 2011) - pdf, 165 kb -
- AOTA Analysis: Proposed Skilled Nursing Facility PPS Rule for FY 2012 - pdf, 141 kb -
- NGS to Adjust MPPR-related Claims
- Join AOTA’s Virtual Hill Day on Tuesday June 14--- Stop the Cap!
- 6-6-11 - AOTA Comments on ACOs Proposed Rule (submitted June 6, 2011) - PDF, 212 kb
- AOTA Member Presents at Institute of Medicine Workshop on Allied Health Workforce and Services
- CMS Issues Proposed SNF PPS Rule for FY 2012
- CMS/CMI Initiatives Related to ACOs
- 3-14-2011 - Guidance for 2011 CMS Home Health Rule
- AOTA Summary of CMS Proposed Rule on ACOs (April 7, 2011, Members Only. Login required) - pdf, 262 kb -
- CMS Proposes Revisions to DMEPOS Suppliers Safeguards
- CMS Announcement Regarding the Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction (MPPR) Policy
- 3-31-11 - Medicare Proposal on Accountable Care Organizations Released
- 3-18-11 - Canalith Reposition (CPT Code 95922) Added to “Sometimes Therapy” Code List
- DOTPA: Data Collection Phase and Provider Recruitment
- MedPAC March 2011 Report
- AOTA members greet the new 112th Congress. Hear first hand about the experience on Capitol Hill
- AOTA to CMS: Occupational Therapy Must Be Treated as a Distinct Service
- AOTA Letter to Medicaid Regarding OT/OTA Qualifications (March 2, 2011) - pdf, 74 kb -
- AOTA Follow-up to Meeting with CMS regarding MPPR (February 15, 2011) - PDF, 39 kb -
- Medicare Fraud Charges: What Members Need to Know About Fraud & Abuse
- Final CMS Rule for Provider-Supplier Screening and Enrollment Issued -
- CMS Proposes Rule Requiring Providers to Notify Patients of Their Quality Reporting Rights
- 2-18-11 - Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS) 2011 Fact Sheet
- AOTA Comments on the 2011 Proposed Fee Schedule FINAL RULE (January 3, 2011) (Members-only) - pdf, 63 kb -
- 1-27-11 - AOTA Advocacy Success: Medicare Contractor Revises OT LCD V Codes Policy -
- Delivering Victories for Occupational Therapy During Lame Duck Session
- AOTA Analysis: Final 2011 Medicare Home Health Rule (Members) - PDF, 56 kb -
- AOTA Comments Regarding the Independence at Home Demonstration Program
- AOTA Analysis: Final 2011 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule (Members) - pdf, 80 kb -
- CMS Clarifies Therapy Multiple Procedure Payment Reduction (MPPR) - (Effective January 1, 2011)
- CMS Independence at Home Demonstration – Comments due December 31
- Update on PECOS Implementation
- Virtual Hill Day- Thursday December 9- Stop the Cap
- Medicare Fee Schedule Fix for December Passes House and Senate- 21.3% Cut Avoided: Additional Impact on OT
- Final 2011 Medicare Fee Schedule Rule Released: Major Therapy Payment Reductions Included
- 11-4-10 - Final Home Health Rule Issued
- Cap Exceptions Process Expiring: Challenges and Opportunities in Lame Duck Session
- 10-19-10 - AOTA Comments on The National Health Care Quality Strategy and Plan
- 9-28-10 - Everything You Need To Know if You Work in a SNF -
- 09-21-10 - The Power of a Pixel: 400 Advocates Put OT in High Def on Capitol Hill
- 10-08-10 - OIG Work Plan for FY 2011 Released
- Advocate for OT- Virtual Hill Day Thursday 10/21/10! Take Action!!!
- 9-28-10 - What You Need to Know if You Work in a SNF - pdf, 56 kb -
- 8-25-10 - AOTA Opposes National Therapy Cuts
- 09-21-10 - Build on the Momentum of Record Setting Capitol Hill Day- Bring OT in High Definition to Capitol Hill
- 10-25-10 - AOTA continues to work towards securing increased funding for the HRSA
- RRPD Forum on OT Connections: Breaking News on Payment Issues
- 9-28-10 - CMS Manual Addresses Student Supervision in SNFs
- Former AOTA President Selected for AMA–PCPI Stroke Work Group
- Therapy Cap Alternatives: The Short Term Alternatives to the Therapy Cap (STATS) and Developing Outpatient Therapy Payment Alternatives (DOTPA) Projects
- Register for AOTA’s Capitol Hill Day: Monday September 20, 2010!
- AOTA Virtual Hill Day September 20, 2010: Make the Voice of Occupational therapy heard on Capitol Hill
- The 2010 Therapy Cap and Exceptions Process
- Make Your Voice Heard on Home Health!
- 2008 Outpatient Therapy Utilization Report
- AOTA Opposes CMS Proposal for Therapy Cuts
- 7-28-10 - CMS Unveils 2011 Proposed Physician Fee Schedule - pdf, 73 kb -
- 7-15-10 - The Health and Human Services Department Issues Final Rules on "Meaningful Use" and EHR Certification
- President Signs 6 Month Medicare Payment Update into Law- Read more…
- 6-28-10 - Medicare Fraud Scheme Conviction Part of Intensified Effort to Thwart Fraud
- House Passes 6 Month Fee Schedule Update- Bill Cleared for Presidential Signature. Read more...
- Congress Fails to Act on Fee Schedule- CMS to Hold Claims for 10 Days Read more…
- 6-10-10 - Register Now for CMS Call on the Implementation of RUG-IV and MDS 3.0
- 5-28-10 - Red Flags Rule Delayed Again: Private Practitioners Must Implement ID Theft Prevention Program by December 31, 2010 -
- 5-21-10 - Upcoming MDS 3.0 Train-the-Trainer Conference
- Health Reform Passes Congress: Therapy Cap Exceptions Process Extended through 2010. Read more…
- 4-5-10 - Medicare Releases Policy Guidance for IRFs
- 4-5-10 - PECOS Requirements Delayed Until 2011 -
