Medicare Update

Medicare Physical Therapy Cap Update (12/08/03)

Medicare Bill Helps Remove Obstacles to Physical Therapy Services for Seniors

ALEXANDRIA, VA , December 8, 2003. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) supported passage of the historic Medicare Prescription Drug and Improvement Act (H.R.1/S. 1) signed this morning by President Bush because it provides instant relief to Medicare beneficiaries in need of rehabilitation care.

The legislation immediately removes the $1,590 Medicare therapy cap on physical therapist services through 2005. Effective as of January 1, 2004, it also prevents a scheduled 4.5 percent cut in Medicare payments to physical therapists and other providers, replacing it with a 1.5 percent increase in payment through 2005. The bill also requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Committee (MedPAC) to assess the impact of providing Medicare beneficiaries with direct access to physical therapists, as well as significant regulatory reforms and payment increases for physical therapists and other providers in rural areas.

"While there has been much discussion about the pros and cons of this legislation, there is no question it is a major step forward for Medicare beneficiaries who need physical therapist services," said APTA President Ben F Massey, Jr, PT, MA. "It allows patients the chance to recover as much function as they possibly can after experiencing stroke or other condition. We hope seniors become aware of this very positive inclusion in the bill. There is, however, more work that remains to be done to assure that older Americans and citizens with disabilities have adequate and affordable access to health care; we look forward to working with Congress to achieve that goal."

The American Physical Therapy Association is a national professional organization representing more than 64,000 members. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research and education.

Source: American Physical Therapy Association 12/8/03