Members of both the House and Senate wasted no time introducing a bill that would eliminate Medicare Part B therapy caps, a move hailed by providers.
The Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act of 2009 became one of the first bills to be introduced in the 111th Congress in early January.
Currently, a sweeping exceptions system invalidates the caps for most nursing home residents, but it is set to expire Jan. 1, 2010. Annual caps of approximately $1,790 for occupational therapy, and speech and physical therapy combined, are in place.
“It is unfortunate that the present statute governing the caps is not clinically driven,” said Bruce Yarwood, president and chief executive officer of the American Health Care Association.
Five times over the last decade a bill like this has been introduced by both chambers of Congress. It was passed by only one.
From the February 01, 2009 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
