Job Security
I recently read the therapy field is one of the top jobs to have right now. This is not the first time I have read this and it probably won't be the last. I question how this is determined though.
With the reduction of reimbursements in Medicare and Medicaid, and in some cases outright refusals to pay for needed therapy, how can our jobs in therapy be some of the top positions to have right now? I know there are not a lot of therapists in some areas of the country but if there is little reimbursement for our services, or limits on how many times we can treat patients despite their needs, how can we have a best-selling job?
I keep hearing about how the baby boomers are getting older and their need for therapy is increasing. But from what I understand, they must be paying out of pocket to get the therapy they really need and not from another insurance source that limits them to 10 or 12 sessions a year or $1870. I have seen too many excellent patients have limited therapy because of insurance cutbacks. Some may say, "Well, they chose that insurance and that is too bad."
So my question to you is, what are we going to do about those patients who get "bumped" from our list because insurance has stopped paying for our services? Will we treat pro bono, take the loss and give the patients what they need or move on to the next payer source because that is how our profession is funded?