Congress  Works on Repeal of the Therapy Cap  

On April 14, 2011, Congressmen Jim Gerlach (R-PA) and Xavier Becerra (D-CA) in the House of Representatives and Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced The Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act (H.R. 1546/S. 829).

 

The therapy cap was originally passed with the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. Its purpose was to reduce Medicare spending by limiting outpatient therapy payments.

This legislation would fully repeal the Medicare Part B Outpatient Therapy Caps on occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology services. December 15, 2010, President Obama signed Senate Amendment to HR 4994, the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010. This legislation extended the therapy cap exceptions process until December 31, 2011.

The current exceptions process, which ensures continued access to medically necessary rehabilitation, is set to expire on December 31, 2011. Without Congressional action this year a cap of $1,870 would be applied to occupational therapy and a separate cap of $1,870 would be applied to physical therapy and speech-language pathology services combined.

The economic environment and the contentious political climate make action on the cap even more challenging than in recent years. Congress will not act unless they hear directly from their constituents that the therapy cap is a priority issue for all therapy practitioners as well as the SNF operators and the clients served.

This legislation will repeal the cap on therapy services for Medicare beneficiaries once and for all. If Congress does not take action by December 31, 2011, a hard therapy cap will again be imposed on Medicare-covered physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech language pathology services.

More information can be obtained from the Stop the  Medicare Therapy Cap Facebook page.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-the-Medicare-Therapy-Cap/290661517047