"qualified practitioners"

"qualified practitioners"

John Russell

1/1/2001

This is found on <URL Redacted> stating that RPT are
qualified practitioners for OandP.
Physical Med & Rehab
[PARA]Bill Provides Access to Physical Therapy Services[PARA]The final
legislation of the 106th Congress, which passed in both the House and Senate
on December 15, will provide Medicare recipients with critical access to
physical therapy services. President Clinton indicated that he intends to
sign The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2001 (HR 4577). [PARA]APTA is
pleased that the 106th Congress was able to complete work on this vital
legislation before adjourning for the year, says APTA President Ben F
Massey, Jr, PT. This legislation helps guarantee access to vital physical
therapy services in all Medicare practice settings.[PARA]The legislation
includes the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and
Protection Act of 2001, which provides $35 billion in additional spending
for hospitals, home health agencies, and skilled nursing facilities within
the Medicare and Medicaid programs over the next 5 years.[PARA]Other
provisions that directly affect physical therapy include a 1-year extension
of the moratorium on the $1,500 cap on therapy (now through 2002); a
recognition of physical therapists as qualified practitioners in
fabricating custom orthotics and prosthetics under Medicare, exempting them
from the certification process; and a 12-month delay, until October 1, 2002,
of a scheduled 15 % reduction in home health payments under the Prospective
Payment System. [PARA]The resources Congress is infusing back into the
Medicare program will help physical therapists in all practice settings,
Massey says. We are particularly pleased that Congress adopted APTA's
position to further extend the Part B Medicare moratorium on the $1,500 cap
on physical therapy services.


John Russell
<Email Address Redacted>

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