[April 23, 2014]

Congressman Blackburn visits Results Physiotherapy Clinic to Discuss Proposed Healthcare Bills that would Affect Medicare Patient Access to a Physical Therapist

On April 14, Congressman Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) visited Results Physiotherapy's Franklin, Tennessee clinic to tour the facility and discuss several health care related bills currently being considered with federal lawmakers.

Jason Richardson (News - Alert), PT, DPT, OCS, Sr. VP of Clinical Operations with Results Physiotherapy, coordinated the visit on behalf of the patients Results Physiotherapy serves. Richardson stated, "Congressional clinic visits are essential in establishing dialogue with lawmakers about how complex healthcare policy impacts the realities of patient care and operations."

The April 14th visit focused on legislation that would preserve patient access to a physical therapist under the Medicare program. The first centered on a permanent fix to a flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula (method used by Medicare to control spending) and permanent repeal of Medicare therapy caps which arbitrarily obstruct some Medicare paients from obtaining necessary PT services beyond a monetary threshold. On March 31, Congress passed a legislative "patch" to SGR which prevents physician cuts for Medicare services and extends the current therapy cap exceptions process until March 2015. Congressman Blackburn has been a long-time supporter of eliminating the therapy caps to preserve access of needed services to Medicare beneficiaries.

Richardson also shared with Congressman Blackburn that under current law, physical therapists in private practice are not able to bring in another licensed PT through the Medicare program to temporarily cover the caseload of a PT who must take leave due to illness, pregnancy, vacation or continuing clinical education. The ability to bring in a temporary provider is known as locum tenens, an arrangement some other providers are currently eligible for in the Medicare program. For many physical therapists in private practice, this means that they may be unable to take these absences or patient care can be interrupted. Richardson urged Congressman Blackburn to consider support for the bipartisan bill, "Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act (HR 3426)."

"Repeal of the therapy cap and support for legislation that would permit locums tenens for PTs under Medicare will assist in assuring Medicare patients have access to cost-effective care that facilitates health, independence, and a pain free active lifestyle," said Richardson.

For more information about Results Physiotherapy, please visit www.resultsphysiotherapy.com.

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