Medicare Update

Medicare Physical Therapy Cap Update (3/29/05)

MEMBERS OF CONGRESS SUPPORT
PHYSICAL THERAPISTS, PATIENTS ON AFFORDABLE
REHABILITATION SERVICES UNDER MEDICARE

Members Of Congress To Reintroduce Legislation On Financial Cap Repeal

ALEXANDRIA, VA, February 17, 2005 Senior citizens across the country are looking to the 109th Congress to keep much needed rehabilitative services available under Medicare says the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Members of the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives are reintroducing legislation to repeal the financial cap on Medicare outpatient physical therapy benefits.

Passage of the Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2005 will eliminate the ongoing threat that would force a significant number of seniors and individuals with disabilities to pay out-of-pocket expenses or alter the course of their care by changing providers or facilities. Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) will introduce the Senate legislation and Representatives Phil English (R-PA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Roy Blunt (R-MO), and Frank Pallone (D-NJ), will introduce the House legislation to repeal the cap that was originally instituted through the Balanced Budget Act in 1997.

“The tremendous bipartisan support of the last Congress was reflected in the 244 House members and 52 Senate members who were legislation co-sponsors,” said APTA President Ben F Massey, Jr, PT, MA. “Congress has delayed implementation of the cap three times by placing a moratorium on its enforcement. We are confident that Congress will do what is right and do away with this burden for Medicare beneficiaries once and for all by passing this legislation.”

The current moratorium is set to expire December 31, 2005, allowing the cap to be implemented on January 1, 2006 by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Current law provides for two caps on rehabilitation benefits, one for physical therapy and speech therapy and a separate cap for occupational therapy.

The American Physical Therapy Association is a national professional organization representing more than 65,000 members. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education.

**Source – American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) website www.apta.org.

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