Ang Therapist

It is ‘Stop the Cap’ Week from October 29 to November 2, 2007. This effort is being led by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) to stop the Medicare therapy cap from taking effect. Without Congressional action, the arbitrary cap on physical, occupational, and speech therapy will return on the first of January 2008.

What It’s All About

Currently Medicare beneficiaries are subject to an arbitrary financial limitation or “therapy cap” on their outpatient rehabilitation services. The financial limit, or “therapy cap,” for 2007 is set at $1,780 for physical therapy and speech language pathology combined and $1,780 for occupational therapy services. Congress passed legislation in late December to allow beneficiaries needing care above the limit to apply for additional coverage – but without additional Congressional action this exceptions process will expire on December 31, 2007.

The best long term solution is to repeal the therapy caps and members of Congress recently introduced legislation to do just that. To avoid arbitrary limits on your care, ask Congress to pass The Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2007 (S.450/H.R.748) to completely repeal the therapy cap this year.

Click here to view the information bulletin. Visit the APTA Web site for additional information.

Related link:
Medicare Therapy Cap FAQs