2026 New Year, New Medicare Rules

ALL SESSIONS ARE CLOSED CAPTIONED AND WILL BE RECORDED AND MADE AVAILABLE TO REGISTERED ATTENDEES WITHIN 48 BUSINESS HOURS AT THE OTLEARN PORTAL.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revises Medicare policies impacting reimbursement of occupational therapy services. Learn what Medicare policies are in store for 2026, how these policies will impact day-to-day delivery of occupational therapy services, and find out about AOTA's advocacy priorities for the coming year.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the practical impact of new Medicare policies on delivery of occupational therapy services under Medicare Part A and B.
• Identify at least two opportunities to advocate for policy changes that would improve Medicare beneficiary access to occupational therapy services.

Speakers

Kim Karr

Kim is an occupational therapist and certified professional in healthcare quality with 25 years of experience in acute and post-acute care settings as a treating practitioner, manager, denials specialist, and clinical director. In her current role in AOTA's Regulatory Affairs Department as Director, Payment Policy, Kim's focus is on policy and advocacy opportunities within Medicare Part B and other payers; supporting AOTA's coding and billing initiatives at the state and federal level.

Jennifer Bogenrief

Jennifer is AOTA’s Director of Regulatory Affairs and has served AOTA members for more than 16 years. She advocates for appropriate coverage of and payment for occupational therapy services under Medicare Part A. In addition, she examines regulations and policies affecting occupational therapy practitioners working in Part A settings and provides resources to support their self-advocacy for the value of their services. Jen holds a BS in Business Administration from Creighton University and a JD from Creighton University School of Law.

Heather Parsons

Heather Parsons, Vice President of Federal Affairs, oversees AOTA's federal lobbying, AOTPAC, grassroots advocacy and regulatory affairs. Her focus is on expanding occupational therapy's role in mental health, innovative programs, and improving the Medicare Part B system for practitioners. Prior to AOTA, she was Deputy Chief of Staff for Congressman Brad Miller of North Carolina. She has a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.

Andrew Bopp

Andrew Bopp is a Senior Legislative Representative with AOTA with a primary focus on lobbying Congress on federal health care policy including the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, telehealth, and home health. He was the lead lobbyist on legislation enacted in 2020 enabling occupational therapists to open Medicare home health therapy cases. He has been with AOTA since 2017 and has worked on several Congressional campaigns in the past. He has a Journalism degree from West Virginia University.

Earn up to 1.50 contact hour.