Ang Therapist

These medicare updates from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) highlights the success of their advocacy efforts. 

July 15 Update: Congress Overrides Presidential Veto (HR 6331)

This afternoon, the United States House of Representatives and the Senate voted to override the Presidential veto to pass HR 6331 – the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act. HR 6331 includes critical provisions for physical therapists and their patients, including legislation to avoid the 10.6% cut in payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule and the expiration of the therapy cap exceptions process.

The House passed this legislation by a 383-41 vote and by a 70-26 Senate vote. A two-thirds vote was needed by the House and the Senate to override the Presidential veto. Once the Senate voted to approve HR 6331, it now becomes law immediately.

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Victory! Medicare Legislation Becomes Law
Congress Overrides Veto and Extends the Therapy Cap Exceptions Process

Legislative Update – July 15, 2008

The House and Senate today voted to override the Presidents veto of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2007 (H.R. 6331) finally allowing the important legislation to become law.

The new law makes the following improvements to Medicare law:

• Extends the Therapy Cap Exceptions Process for 18 months
• Replaces a 10.6% cut to Physician Fee Schedule with a 1.1% increase
• Delays Implementation of the DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program
• Provides increased incentives for Physician Quality Reporting initiates for 2009-2011
• Requires CMS to Develop Profession Specific Accreditation Standards for DMEPOS or allows the Secretary to Defer to State Regulations
• Phases in mental health co-payment parity in Medicare from 50% to 20% over several years.

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