An Action Alert for Physical Therapy Patients:

On January 6, 2009, Senator John Ensign (R-NV) and 11 other Senators joined Representatives Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Mike Ross (D-AK), and Roy Blunt (R-MO) in introducing the Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2009 (S 46/HR 43). This legislation repeals the current financial limits on Medicare beneficiaries' rehabilitation services, ensuring access for seniors and persons with disabilities to physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services.
Currently there are two therapy caps, one for physical therapy and speech language pathology and one for occupational therapy. The therapy caps are set at $1840 per beneficiary per year. The therapy cap applies to all Medicare beneficiaries in all Part B health care settings, except hospital outpatient departments. Beneficiaries that exceed their therapy cap may have to choose between forgoing necessary care or paying 100% of the cost out-of-pocket over their Medicare coverage. Senior citizens who suffer from a stroke, or have Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injuries or osteoporosis are more likely to be the type of patient needing such care.
Every year Congress considers a short-term step to prevent the therapy cap from being enacted. Although this results in protecting beneficiaries' access to rehabilitation care, this legislation is not passed until very late in the year. This disrupts the continuity of care to Medicare patients because therapists must adjust their plan of care to their patients.
It's time to eliminate this flawed policy by passing legislation that ensures access to outpatient rehabilitation services for the most vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries.

CLICK HERE to visit the Patient Action Center on APTA’s website and contact your member of Congress to ask for their support on this important legislation today!

If you have any questions refer to the FAQ PDF.