I appreciate the opportunity to provide comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in response to the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule.
I strongly oppose CMS’ significant payment reductions for occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), speech therapy (SLP) services. I understand that the proposed 9% cut to therapy is the result of increases in payment to primary care physicians and the statute regarding budget neutrality for CMS. However, it is irresponsible to proceed under the current proposed PFS, in which these increases are made at the expense of other essential services. Action must be taken to ensure this does not happen.
Implementing these cuts at all, but especially in the wake of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, is ill-advised and will have dire consequences. OT/PT/SLP practitioners provide essential services to maximize and improve the quality of life of Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries. As a result of Covid-19, individuals are experiencing greater amounts of cognitive impairment, neuromuscular damage, fatigue, and psycho-social challenges – all of which interfere with one’s ability to participate safely in necessary and meaningful day-to-day activities. These individuals require OT/PT/SLP services. The proposed 9% cut will result in insolvency, forcing practices which provide these essential services to shutter in both metropolitan and rural communities. The ripple effect will include job loss, increased hospitalizations & spending, and the loss of access to quality care by Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries. CMS must immediately halt implementation of the 9% reduction to Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy services.
Additionally, it is well documented that many needs can be effectively met via the use of technology and that patients can have improved access to skilled care by leveraging these resources. I therefore strongly recommend these codes be made billable by OT/PT/SLP telehealth providers permanently beyond our Public Health Emergency: 97110, 97112, 97116, 97150, 97165, 97166, 97167, 97168, 97530, 97535, 97542, 97750, 97755, 97760, 97761, 96110, 96112, 96113, and 96127. This change will ensure that Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries have access to valuable services not limited by geographic proximity or medical infirmity. Therapists must be able to provide and bill these codes on a permanent basis.
In all times and especially now, it is crucial that Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries receive uninterrupted, medically necessary services needed for their health and well-being. Thank you for your consideration on this urgent matter.
**Your email address will not be used for marketing purposes.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
August 30, 2020
August 29, 2020
I have spent the past several days reviewing the feedback from practitioners across the country regarding these proposed cuts. The consensus remains that clinical stability is at significant risk if these reductions proceed as planned. I am currently compiling these experiences into a formal summary for submission to the agency.
Reached 100 supporters
August 28, 2020
August 28, 2020
Our progress toward five hundred signatures indicates a growing recognition of the dangers posed by these payment reductions. Please ensure that your professional network is aware of this effort as we build the momentum necessary to influence the final ruling.
82 Comments
OT, PT and SPEECH therapists have already been financially impacted due to closure of clinics due the COVID 19. They continue to suffer financially due to increased expenses to pay for PPE to safely do their jobs. A decrease in their pay would be detrimental to their families!
This is one of the most valuable services one can receive, after hip, knee and other surgeries. Why would Medicare do this? I speak as a recipient of these services and they were key to my recovery!
I work in the nursing homes for the last 40 years I am terrified that because of limited rehab Patients are loosing lives to pneumonia deconditioning contractures It is affecting their quality of life As an OT they cut our saliaries I strongly recommend to improve our quality We have 6 years of college and dept
save therapy! Our patients already don't have enough access to therapy. Cutting funds will decrease access thereby stiffling progress toward rehabilitation and habitation thereby creating individuals who will have no choice but to rely on continued long term care. This benefits NO ONE!
Do not cut therapy rates. Rates have not increased in over 9 years, rates should be going up by 15percent. Therapist have higher level of training these days and the cost of doing business has sky rocketed in the past 3 years.
Decreasing reimbursement directly impacts our most vulnerable populations and their access to quality health care.
Just vote to stop it on Nov. 3rd.
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I appreciate the opportunity to provide comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in response to the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule.
I strongly oppose CMS’ significant payment reductions for occupational therapy (OT), physical therapy (PT), speech therapy (SLP) services. I understand that the proposed 9% cut to therapy is the result of increases in payment to primary care physicians and the statute regarding budget neutrality for CMS. However, it is irresponsible to proceed under the current proposed PFS, in which these increases are made at the expense of other essential services. Action must be taken to ensure this does not happen.
Implementing these cuts at all, but especially in the wake of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, is ill-advised and will have dire consequences. OT/PT/SLP practitioners provide essential services to maximize and improve the quality of life of Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries. As a result of Covid-19, individuals are experiencing greater amounts of cognitive impairment, neuromuscular damage, fatigue, and psycho-social challenges – all of which interfere with one’s ability to participate safely in necessary and meaningful day-to-day activities. These individuals require OT/PT/SLP services. The proposed 9% cut will result in insolvency, forcing practices which provide these essential services to shutter in both metropolitan and rural communities. The ripple effect will include job loss, increased hospitalizations & spending, and the loss of access to quality care by Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries. CMS must immediately halt implementation of the 9% reduction to Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy services.
Additionally, it is well documented that many needs can be effectively met via the use of technology and that patients can have improved access to skilled care by leveraging these resources. I therefore strongly recommend these codes be made billable by OT/PT/SLP telehealth providers permanently beyond our Public Health Emergency: 97110, 97112, 97116, 97150, 97165, 97166, 97167, 97168, 97530, 97535, 97542, 97750, 97755, 97760, 97761, 96110, 96112, 96113, and 96127. This change will ensure that Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries have access to valuable services not limited by geographic proximity or medical infirmity. Therapists must be able to provide and bill these codes on a permanent basis.
In all times and especially now, it is crucial that Medicare/Medicaid beneficiaries receive uninterrupted, medically necessary services needed for their health and well-being. Thank you for your consideration on this urgent matter.
**Your email address will not be used for marketing purposes.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
August 30, 2020
August 29, 2020
I have spent the past several days reviewing the feedback from practitioners across the country regarding these proposed cuts. The consensus remains that clinical stability is at significant risk if these reductions proceed as planned. I am currently compiling these experiences into a formal summary for submission to the agency.
Reached 100 supporters
August 28, 2020
August 28, 2020
Our progress toward five hundred signatures indicates a growing recognition of the dangers posed by these payment reductions. Please ensure that your professional network is aware of this effort as we build the momentum necessary to influence the final ruling.
82 Comments
Please reverse this mandate, our children’s health and wellness relies on quality services. Parents of children with special needs encounter enough financial strain, decreasing reimbursement will only raise the cost for quality provers as most will stop accepting insurance. Please reconsider.
OT, PT and SPEECH therapists have already been financially impacted due to closure of clinics due the COVID 19. They continue to suffer financially due to increased expenses to pay for PPE to safely do their jobs. A decrease in their pay would be detrimental to their families!
This is one of the most valuable services one can receive, after hip, knee and other surgeries. Why would Medicare do this? I speak as a recipient of these services and they were key to my recovery!
I work in the nursing homes for the last 40 years I am terrified that because of limited rehab Patients are loosing lives to pneumonia deconditioning contractures It is affecting their quality of life As an OT they cut our saliaries I strongly recommend to improve our quality We have 6 years of college and dept
save therapy! Our patients already don't have enough access to therapy. Cutting funds will decrease access thereby stiffling progress toward rehabilitation and habitation thereby creating individuals who will have no choice but to rely on continued long term care. This benefits NO ONE!
Do not cut therapy rates. Rates have not increased in over 9 years, rates should be going up by 15percent. Therapist have higher level of training these days and the cost of doing business has sky rocketed in the past 3 years.
Decreasing reimbursement directly impacts our most vulnerable populations and their access to quality health care.
Just vote to stop it on Nov. 3rd.
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Please reverse this mandate, our children’s health and wellness relies on quality services. Parents of children with special needs encounter enough financial strain, decreasing reimbursement will only raise the cost for quality provers as most will stop accepting insurance. Please reconsider.