Commercial payers need advocacy too

Advocacy (noun) is the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal. AOTA is, among many things, an advocacy organization. Generally, when occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) think of AOTA’s advocacy efforts, their thoughts turn to our excellent advocacy in Congress (recent examples include the Lymphedema Treatment Act and inclusion of occupational therapy in telehealth extensions); and with federal agencies, including the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Department of Education. Many practitioners may also think of advocacy efforts at the state level, most notably the interstate licensure compact, as well as with state licensing boards and State Medicaid agencies. But few practitioners realize that AOTA’s advocacy efforts extend to commercial insurance companies and their subsidiaries.