To: POLITICAL EDITORS

Contact: Rachel Reiter of American Physical Therapy Association, +1-703-706-8548, rachelreiter@apta.org

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Medicare beneficiaries across the country are looking to Congress to keep their much-needed rehabilitative services, says the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). Senators John Ensign (R-NV), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Representatives Xavier Becerra (D-CA, 31st), Phil English (R-PA, 3rd), Mike Ross (D-AR, 4th), Chip Pickering (R-MS, 3rd), and Roy Blunt (R-MO, 7th) introduced legislation, The Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2007 (S.450/H.R.748), to repeal the financial limit or "therapy cap" on Medicare outpatient physical therapy benefits.

"Data show that patients who have experienced a stroke, hip fracture, amputation, Parkinson disease, or other condition that requires extensive rehabilitation are most likely to be affected by the arbitrary Medicare therapy caps," said APTA President R Scott Ward, PT, PhD. "Passing this important legislation to completely repeal the therapy caps is the best long-term policy solution -- rather than passing '1-year fixes' -- to protect the Medicare beneficiaries who need rehabilitation services the most." He added, "It also would eliminate the ongoing threat to seniors and individuals with disabilities who may have to pay out-of-pocket expenses or alter the course of their care by changing providers or facilities." Current law limits Medicare coverage of outpatient rehabilitation services in 2007 to $1,780 for physical therapy and speech language pathology combined and $1,780 for occupational therapy services.

"In the past, Congress has acted to extend the therapy cap exceptions process to protect those in need of necessary rehabilitation services," U.S. Senator Blanche Lincoln said. "As a long-time supporter of full repeal of the therapy caps, I will continue my work in the 110th Congress to find a legislative solution so that patients receive the quality care they need without undue burden."

The therapy caps were originally adopted by Congress in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Since then, Congress has acted to prevent implementation by passing several moratoria or authorizing an exceptions process for rehabilitation services above the financial limitation based on diagnosis and clinician evaluation and judgment. Last year Congress passed a provision in the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (HR 6111) allowing for beneficiaries needing care above the therapy cap to apply for additional medically necessary coverage-but only through 2007. Congress must act in 2007 on this legislation to ensure patient access to rehabilitation services provided by physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists.

The American Physical Therapy Association is a national professional organization representing nearly 70,000 members. Its goal is to foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and education. SOURCE American Physical Therapy Association

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