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

On July 15 , 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. [read more]  

Legislature Passes Physical Therapy Mandatory Education Bill

Dear Member Colleagues 


On July 8, Governor Patterson signed into law a bill that will require mandatory education for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants licensed/certified in New York State. The legislation was proposed by the New York Chapter after guidance from the Chapter Board and the Delegate Assembly to pursue such legislation in New York. This is a necessary step to demonstrate to the public that our profession values the acquisition of new knowledge to better the quality of our services to the people of New York. New York now joins the majority of states that now have continuing education requirements, including New Jersey and Connecticut. [read more] 

Legislation for profit corporations to practice PT in the EI setting does not make it to Senate Floor

The bill, though passing the Assembly, did not come to the Senate floor for a vote before the end of the session.

Medicare Announces a New Outpatient Physical Therapy Policy

National Government Services (NGS) formerly Empire Medicare, is a Medicare Carrier and Fiscal Intermediary for Part A and B services is several States. In the past, each of the states/regions has individual and often very different Local Carrier Determinations (LCD) or payment policies. NGS has been consolidating these LCD's over the past 2 years. [read more]

New Consumer Choice Brochure Available!

You DO have a Choice
The NYPTA has developed an informational brochure, intended for consumers of physical therapy services, explaining patients’ rights when choosing a physical therapist. [read more]

Are you interested in what is going on nationally with the Physical Therapy Profession? APTA's web site, http://www.apta.org/, contains up-to-date information on Medicare Direct Access, HIPAA, CMS, the Therapy Cap, Reimbursement and other important information.
Visit APTA!