Section News Items
 

 
New Member Benefit: HPA Knowledge Network

posted Jul-18-2008

One of the primary benefits of belonging to the Section on Health Policy & Administration (HPA) is the opportunity to network with your peers to identify resources and solutions related to policy and administration issues in the management of PT practice. HPA now has designated volunteer contacts ("experts") for a number of content areas.Find out more about the Find out more about the HPA Knowledge Network.
Congress Overrides Presidential Veto

posted Jul-17-2008

The United States Senate voted 70-26 and the United States House of Representatives voted 383-41 to override President Bush's veto of HR 6331 - the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. This legislation will stop the 10.6% reduction in payment for services reimbursed under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and the expiration of therapy cap exception process. HR 6331 becomes law immediately. For further information, visit the APTA website.

For More Information: More Information
HPA Survey on Research and Research Priorities

posted Jul-01-2008

At the request of the Section Board of Directors, the HPA Research Committee is conducting a survey of HPA members. The purposes of this survey are: 1) to identify priorities for research funding and 2) to foster the development of HPA-relevant research collaborations. 

The survey results will be used by HPA to guide priority-setting for research funding. The results may also be shared with the Foundation for Physical Therapy and with APTA. Both groups have asked that the HPA Section assist them in identifying high priority research areas that extend beyond the “clinical research agenda” to include health policy and health services related research. Lastly, the results will be used by the Research Committee to assist with CSM program planning.
 
Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and let your opinion be counted in this important endeavor!
Access the online survey using the following Survey Monkey link:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=qGsghVqHF7AKs6x0OX0tXQ_3d_3d

If the link above doesn't take you directly to the survey, copy the link text and paste it into your web browser. Make sure you do not include any additional spaces at the beginning or end of the link text.

Thanks for participating!

For More Information: more info
Senate Fails to Pass Key Medicare Legislation

posted Jun-30-2008

The United States Senate failed to pass legislation on June 26, 2008 that would have extended the therapy cap exception process and prevented the scheduled 10.6% reduction in payment for outpatient therapy services reimbursed under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. In addition since this legislation did not pass, the expiration of the 1.0 floor on Geographic Practice Cost Index will affect 54 localities who will experience further reductions in payment besides the 10.6%. The Senate is to reconvene on July 7th and is expected to resume discussions on Medicare legislation. For up-to-date information, go to www.apta.org and click on Advocacy on the left hand side.

For More Information: more info
CMS Releases Transmittal 88

posted May-07-2008

 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released Transmittal 88 on May 7, 2008. This transmittal includes many important changes and clarifications to outpatient therapy services provided by physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists.

One important item is the official change of the certification time period from 30 calendar days to the duration established in the plan of care and certified by the physician/NPP or 90 calendar days, whichever occurs first. The implementation date of the transmittal is June 9, 2008 with an effective date of January 1, 2008. To view the transmittal, click on the link below.

For More Information: Transmittal 88