
Public policy is the system of laws, regulations, action plans and funding priorities adopted by federal and local governing bodies. Advocacy is the process undertaken to provide education for policy makers with the goal of shaping policy for the common good. Consistent with APTA’s 2022-2024 Strategic Plan, the Hand Academy recognizes our professional responsibility to educate policy makers to ensure equal access to our services, fair reimbursement for those services and protect our profession.
The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2025 was introduced in the House 1/31/25 and proposes to increase the Medicare PFS by 6.6% through 2026. If passed, the increase could be applied retroactively to January 1, 2025. The estimated cost is $3.6 Billion, but the Congressional Budget Office has not scored the bill yet. The legislation may be included in the next government funding which must pass Congress by March 14, 2025, when the current funding expires. The 2.83% cut that began on January 1, places reimbursement 33% lower than 2001 when inflation is taken into consideration. The Academy of Hand and Upper Extremity will provide the bill number when it becomes available.
The 118th Congress concluded on 1/3/25 and all outstanding legislation is no longer active. As new bills are introduced into the 119th Congress, we will keep you informed.
Legislation Excepting Orthoses From Reasonable Useful Lifetime Limits
No action was taken on the Orthosis Reasonable Useful Lifetime legislation prior to closure of the 118th Congress. We will work with APTA staff and other partners to introduce this bill again in the 119th Congress.
On October 29, 2024, bipartisan legislation was introduced to reverse the impending 2.8% conversion factor reduction for 2025 and increase it 4.73%, allowing a final increase of 1.9%: The Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act of 2024 (H.R. 10073). The legislation passed the House, but was later withdrawn due to pressure from the President elect and subsequent legislation was passed that did not offset the cut to the conversion factor. There is an opportunity to try again in the new spending legislation that must be passed prior to March 14, when the current spending extension expires. Contact your representative today and let them know how the continuing payment cuts are impacting access to care for their constituents.
CMS adopted APTA’s proposed change to PTA supervision requirements for outpatient physical therapy practices. PTAs will now be under general supervision in all practice settings in the 49 states already allowing general supervision of PTAs in all settings.
APTA and the Private Practice Section have developed payment advocacy tools to help providers address the growing administrative burden due to utilization management practices, the use of AI algorithms for treatment eligibility decisions, denials for long Covid therapy intervention and other barriers to care access. Details are available here: State Payment Advocacy Tools
The APTA Advocacy Network (formerly PTeam) keeps APTA member advocates connected and engaged. Members participate for free and receive special legislative updates and action alerts when we need your voice. https://www.apta.org/advocacy/apta-advocacy-network
Consider donating to the APTA PAC! Your contribution helps staff further APTA’s goals for payment, administrative burden reduction and patient access to our services. PT PAC