APTA's Patient Action Center contains letters focused on the patient impact of certain federal issues and bills.
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Past Issues
March 2025 (download PDF)
President Trump signed a Continuing Resolution on March 14 to fund the government through Sept. 30, extending telehealth flexibilities but leaving 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule cuts unaddressed. Health care groups, including APTA and AMA, continue to push for H.R. 879, which would eliminate the 2.8% cut and add an inflation adjustment. Lawmakers may consider a stand-alone bill or include fixes in a future budget package, but timing is unclear.
November 2024
(download PDF)
The 2025 Medicare Fee Schedule introduces significant changes for physical therapists, including shifting PTA supervision under Medicare Part B from direct to general supervision, aligning with state laws and enhancing service access
in underserved areas. Additionally, plan of care certification requirements have been simplified, removing the need for physician signatures if plans are submitted within 30 days of referral. However, a 2.8% reduction in the conversion
factor may impact provider payments unless Congress intervenes.
July 2024 (download PDF)
Recent legislative news includes the introduction of the SAFE STEPS for Veterans Act which would establish a VA Office of Falls Prevention to centralize efforts and conduct veteran-specific research. A companion House bill is expected soon. Additionally, legislation supporting workforce development in rural healthcare is anticipated before Congress's August recess, aiming to expand training for healthcare providers in community health centers. Meanwhile, the proposed CY 2025 Medicare Fee Schedule, released by CMS, includes significant developments for physical therapy, and the 2025 Home Health Rule proposes a 1.7% payment cut alongside changes to quality reporting and value-based purchasing.
May 2024 (download PDF)
In May, the House Ways and Means Committee unanimously approved legislation extending all current Medicare telehealth policies for another two years, with a scheduled expiration date of December 31, 2026. Prior to the Committee vote, senior Committee staff testified unequivocally that PTs, OTs and SLPs, are covered under the proposed extension. Also in May, APTA, along with our partner associations, hosted a special Capitol Hill Briefing on the use of telehealth by therapy providers, with a focus on H.R. 3875/S. 2880, the Expanded Telehealth Access Act. APTA supports this legislation that would make PTs and PTAs (and other therapy providers) permanent authorized providers of telehealth in the Medicare program.
April 2024 (download PDF)
As providers continue to deal with cash flow interruptions in the wake of the largest-ever cyberattack on the U.S. health care system, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has stepped in to offer some temporary relief. In a program announced March 9, CMS outlined how qualified providers could receive accelerated or advance payments that would be repaid by way of automatic deductions from future claims.
March 2024 (download PDF)
APTA-supported legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on March 11 that would expand the role of falls screening and prevention by physical therapists and include PT falls prevention-related services in Medicare's "welcome" visit and annual wellness visits.
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