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Medicaid Commission hears testimony on importance of PT

Rehab Private Practice Alert, September 13, 2006

Toby Long, PT, PhD, testified this week on the behalf of the American Physical Therapy Association about the importance of access and coverage for physical therapy services at a meeting of the Medicaid Commission, reported PT Bulletin Online.

Medicaid currently classifies physical therapy as an "optional service," rather than "mandatory" service. Long expressed concerns that "optional" services such as physical therapy may be excluded from coverage as states look for ways to cut Medicaid costs, according to PT Bulletin Online.

He warned that excluding these services could lead to increased costs in institutionalized care, development of more severe health outcomes, or increased visits to hospitals.

The commission will report to Congress with recommendations for reforming the federal-state program.

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