TRICARE Proposed Rule Would Add OTAs as Providers: Use Our Template Letter to Submit Comments By Feb. 19
The Department of Defense published a proposed rule to "add certified or licensed physical therapy assistants (PTAs) and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) as TRICARE-authorized providers."
The National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2018 required the Department of Defense to add OTAs and PTAs as providers and this proposed rule is the next step in this process. Under the proposed rule, supervision requirements for OTAs and PTAs are the same as under Medicare.
AOTA will be further analyzing the proposed rule and will be commenting ahead of the deadline in February. OTA services provided to TRICARE recipients will not be reimbursed until this process is complete. Please watch www.aota.org for further information.
Template Comment Letter
Want to support OTAs? Use our template letter to submit comments in support of TRICARE's proposed rule to reimburse services provided by occupational therapy assistants. Comments are due online by 11:59 p.m. ET on February 19. AOTA has developed a Template Letter (download Word doc) to assist practitioners in submitting comments online to the Department of Defense by February 19.
We encourage you to customize the letter, especially if your facility or practice treats TRICARE clients. If possible, include specific examples of how the current policy limits or delays TRICARE clients’ access to occupational therapy services.
Be sure to include the date at the top of the letter and your name, title, and facility name at the bottom and delete the instructions and highlighting from the template before submitting your letter. We encourage you to draft your letter in Word prior to going to the submission website. Once your comment letter is ready for submission, you may submit electronic comments on this proposed regulation to https://www.regulations.gov.
Steps for Submitting Letter
- On the search bar at https://www.regulations.gov, enter the Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) associated with this regulation, 0720-AB72, or click here to go there directly.
- Then click on the “Comment Now” box
- Enter your comments into the comment box by copying and pasting from the document you have drafted in Word or personalized from the Template Letter (download Word doc), making sure to delete any instructions from AOTA. Alternatively, you may upload your document by clicking on “Choose files.”
- Enter your first and last name and click “Continue” to submit and follow the instructions to confirm your submission.
If you have any questions or problems with submitting comments, please contact us at regulatory@aota.org.
Originally Published: 12/24/18
Updated: 2/7/19