November 9, 2010

As you may be aware, the "therapy caps exception" is due to expire at the end of the calendar year.  The Leadership Council of Aging Organizations (LCAO) is a coalition of national not-for-profit organizations representing nearly 60 million older Americans.  AJAS is a member of the Council, and we together sent a letter to the Congressional leadership:

The Honorable Harry Reid                              The Honorable Mitch McConnell

Majority Leader                                                 Minority Leader

United States Senate                                         United States Senate

Washington, DC 20510                                   Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi                           The Honorable John Boehner

Speaker                                                               Minority Leader

US House of Representatives                           US House of Representatives

Washington, DC 20515                                    Washington, DC 20515

Following is an excerpt from that letter:

"we urge you to pass extensions of the Qualified Individual program and the therapy caps exception process - two crucial policies for Medicare beneficiaries - before the 111th Congress concludes. The exceptions process that applies to Medicare coverage limitations on outpatient physical, speech, and occupational therapy will also expire on December 31st if Congress fails to act. Medicare beneficiaries may currently obtain coverage for medically necessary therapy services that exceed payment caps by seeking an exception. Treatment limitations include a $1,860 combined cap for speech and physical therapy services and a separate $1,860 total for occupational therapy. Extending the exceptions process will help ensure that Medicare beneficiaries can continue to access these services that restore and maintain the capacities needed for daily living."