Rehab

MedPAC calls for pilot studies to improve therapy data

Rehab Regs, June 23, 2006

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) suggested that CMS conduct pilot studies to evaluate methods for improving collection of data before the agency attempts to revise Medicare's system of paying for outpatient therapy services.

The suggestion is based on findings that show Medicare spending on outpatient therapy services has doubled since 2000. MedPAC found that about 12% of Medicare beneficiaries use outpatient therapy.

Private practices treated the largest amount of beneficiaries, seeing 24% of the population receiving therapy, followed closely by nursing homes (23%) and hospital outpatient departments (19%).

To read the full MedPAC report on therapy services click here and go to Ch. 6.

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