With the debate on whether Congress should provide direct access to physical therapists for Medicare beneficiaries starting again, APTA is urging physical therapists to set the record straight. Members of the “PTeam” grassroots network were alerted this week to contact their members of Congress to explain why physical therapists are qualified to provide safe, effective patient care without requiring a referral. “Opponents are aware of the growing support in Congress for direct access, and they’re trying to confuse the issue by mischaracterizing the legislation and physical therapists’ qualifications,” said Dave Mason, APTA vice president of government affairs. “It’s important for us to make sure legislators understand the facts about the safety and cost-effectiveness of giving Medicare beneficiaries the same access to physical therapists that state law provides for non-Medicare patients in their state.”

APTA urges its members to contact their members of Congress and ask them to support the Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act (HR792/S493).

{Source: PT Bulletin Online/www.apta.org}