Good News: Senate Passes Medicare Bill
Pleasing the leadership of the American Physical Therapy Association and PTs and PTAs everywhere, the Senate yesterday passed HR 6331, the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act.
"We are thrilled that the Senate took action yesterday and passed [the bill]," said APTA president R. Scott Ward, PhD, PT, in a statement. "The senators obviously heard from beneficiaries and providers in their states and recognized the need to take this action to protect Medicare beneficiaries who need rehabilitation services the most-seniors and persons with disabilities.
"This legislation, which includes provisions essential for Medicare beneficiaries to maintain access to needed services, now awaits the President's signature. The APTA urges President Bush to take immediate action and sign this critical bill into law to protect the quality of life and well-being of millions of Americans," Dr. Ward stated.
"Provisions in HR 6331 are critical to avoiding the unsustainable cuts in Medicare payments to physical therapists and to restoring the therapy cap exceptions process that assures that beneficiaries who qualify for the exception will continue to get the crucial therapy care they need," Dr. Ward said.
Other key provisions will delay competitive bidding for durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies and restore important payment protections for rural providers.
The signing extinguishes what were growing worries of the APTA that Congress might not make a decision on the Medicare cap on outpatient therapy exceptions process. As of July 1, the exceptions process under the cap ($1,810 for PT and speech therapy combined; the same amount for OT) had expired. Therapists submitting under Medicare for patients who needed the cap exception the most-those recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury and other long-term conditions-would have had to get a lot more creative in helping their patients continue with necessary therapy.
On a personal note, I know of several people close to my family and friends who have loved ones who had a stroke or were auto accident victims who would qualify for Medicare and will need ongoing therapy. For therapists out there, did the exceptions cap "close call" adversely impact you and your patients?