November 2005

Editor's Message

By Chris Wolski

Stand Up and Be Counted

As entrepreneurs, physical and occupational therapists in private practice know that there are many hurdles to overcome to be successful. Some of these include having facilities that are easily reached, building a reliable source of referrals, providing the most up-to-date treatments, and having a strong customer service focus.

On January 1, 2006, a new hurdle may come into effect that could irreparably affect the way therapists do business. On that date, the moratorium on the therapy cap is due to be lifted. The cap establishes a $1,750 per annum cap for physical therapy services and a $1,750 cap for occupational therapy services for Medicare patients. The cap was originally put in place as part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, but has been under a legislative moratorium.

Unfortunately, with the political hot spots of the Supreme Court and New Orleans occupying the minds of House and Senate members, the moratorium is in danger of being a victim of legislative inattention.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has made keeping the moratorium in place a high priority item, with its legislative staff working furiously to get the moratorium onto the legislative calendar. Activities include a legislative fly-in that will have APTA members meeting with their representatives.

Though it is fortunate that there are professionals who can look after the interests of the physical therapy profession, those in private practice cannot stay on the sidelines and hope for the best.

If there was ever a time to pick up the phone, send an e-mail, write a letter, or visit your representative or senator, now is the time.

Justin Moore, PT, APTA's director of congressional affairs, suggests that PTs and OTs who will be affected by the therapy cap invite their representatives to visit their practices, and allow them to see for themselves the important work they do for their patients—and particularly the geriatric population who dominates the Medicare rolls.

As beneficial as it will be to therapists across the board to keep the moratorium, it is still only a stopgap measure. What is needed, obviously, is a more permanent solution, and that will take one-on-one political action. It really is not enough to lob the occasional e-mail in the direction of a representative or visit them at their office.

Instead, what is needed is to bring that most important element for business success—a strong relationship—to the legislative arena. For PTs and OTs in private practice, it is imperative that you remain in constant contact with your Congressional representatives, build relationships that will yield a business environment that is conducive to both profits and providing substantive therapy to patients.

Even if this fight is ultimately lost and the moratorium is lifted, it can always be reestablished and the damaging cap, ultimately, removed. But it is up to therapists themselves to take matters into their own hands and stand up and be counted.

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