Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.), and John Ensign (R-Nev.) sent a letter to Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius asking her to delay implementation of the financial cap to Medicare Part B outpatient therapy services. The cap of $1,860 for either physical and speech language therapies combined, or occupational therapy alone, went into effect on January 1.
The letter won approval from the American Health Care Association (AHCA). In a statement, AHCA said that the cap on therapy services is “only arbitrary, but based on cost, not care considerations.”
“Our provider community appreciates the efforts of Senators Grassley, Lincoln, and Ensign, especially since the high-acuity patients we care for—like those recovering from strokes or joint replacement surgery—need significant therapy services to improve their functioning and return home,” said Bruce Yarwood, president and CEO of AHCA.
The Sens. letter to Secretary Sebelius read in part:
“We are concerned that implementation of the Medicare outpatient therapy caps is causing undue hardship on Medicare beneficiaries, particularly for those who are recovering from a stroke or a debilitating injury such as a hip or joint fracture. We have already received reports that beneficiaries with severe rehabilitation needs have already exceeded the financial caps. In fact, one national provider has reported that as of February 1, 2010, approximately 1,050 of its patients across the country will hit the caps. This number is expected to grow to more than 4,000 patients by February 28, 2010. We are concerned that implementation of the therapy caps could result in longer lengths of stay and a shift in patients and costs to inpatient settings.”
Continue the conversation below by posting comments, listing related resources, and linking to associated events.
|
