Last week, AHCA/NCAL joined a coalition of five other national associations representing rehabilitation therapists in multiple settings in submitting a COVID-19 section 1135 waiver request to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to suspend the recently implemented 15 percent payment differential for services furnished under Medicare Part B by physical and occupational therapy assistants (PTAs & OTAs). This request, intended to protect beneficiary access to therapy services during the current public health emergency (PHE), was followed up by a
formal letter submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) officials that oversee Part B therapy service coverage and payment policy.
AHCA/NCAL will update members on the HHS/CMS response and whether any additional advocacy efforts may be needed. Members may direct questions regarding this topic to
Dan Ciolek.