Medicare direct-access legislation introduced in congress - In the News - Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act - Brief Article

Healthcare Financial Management, Jan, 2002

The Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act (H.R. 3363), introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Phil Crane (R-Ill.) and Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.Dak.), would allow Medicare patients direct access to physical therapists. The current law requires a physician referral to initiate physical therapists' intervention under Medicare Part B. The bill addresses services provided by physical therapists in a variety of settings, including private practices, rehabilitation agencies, public health clinics, skilled nursing facilities (Part B services), comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities, and hospital outpatient departments.

In addition to eliminating the required physician referral, the bill amends Medicare law by defining "qualified physical therapist." It also makes technical corrections to the current Medicare law as it relates to outpatient rehabilitation services. These corrections separate physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services into three distinct sections, but they do not change the delivery or scope of occupational therapy or speech-language pathology services in any practice settings under Medicare Part B. With this change, speech therapy could not be considered a part of physical therapy under the $1,500 limit on therapy services under Medicare.

The bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.