Free Rehab e-Newsletters

Rehab Regs

This free, weekly e-zine will keep you current on the industry, from the latest news on CMS to what your colleagues are doing throughout the country. RehabRegs keeps your finger on the pulse of the rehab and therapy world.

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Rehab Regs

Issue 51, December 29, 2006

• CMS must publish bonus reporting measures by April

  CMS should expand its list of quality reporting measures to include services frequently provided by...

• Legislation authorized $1 billion in autism funding

  President Bush signed into law the Combating Autism Act of 2006 (S. 843) on December 20...

• OTs becoming certified by National Association of Home Builders

  As the need for modified homes grows, so does the need for regulations on who can do the remodeling...

Issue 50, December 22, 2006

• APTA working with CMS on quality measures

  The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) says that while therapists are among the...

• PTs using virtual reality to help patients

  The Chaim Sheba Rehabilitation Hospital near Tel Aviv, Israel, is using a rare, costly virtual...

• NH students receiving OT on wheels

  Some small, rural schools in central New Hampshire are using a large motor home to offer OT...

Issue 49, December 15, 2006

• Exceptions process extended; fee schedule frozen

  Rehab providers around the country were able to breathe a sigh of relief last week when Congress...

• Clinic blames insurance cuts on closing

  The owner of Bodywise Physical Therapy in Arcata, CA, says the constant cuts in reimbursement are...

• Study: Soy substance may help MS patients

  Researchers from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia say that a soy-based substance may help...

Issue 48, December 8, 2006

• CMS reports fewer PT Medicare claim errors

  A new CMS report states that the rate of all Medicare claims payment errors dropped from 5.1...

• Hospital purchases PT private practice

  The Teton (MT) County Hospital District agreed to buy Benchmark Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine...

• Web site launches for PTs to collaborate data

  A new Web site will allow PTs to communicate best practices, new treatment methods, and outcomes...

Issue 47, December 1, 2006

• AOTA attends autism research meeting

  The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is attempting to make occupational therapy a...

• PT almost as good as surgery for herniated discs

  A recent study shows that people who undergo physical therapy to treat herniated discs recover at a...

• APTA: Exercise key in preventing type 2 diabetes

  People at high risk for type 2 diabetes should follow an appropriate exercise program, according to...

Issue 46, November 17, 2006

• CMS issues transmittals on caps and documentation

  CMS released two separate transmittals last week to clarify the therapy caps and Medicare's...

• Students not receiving necessary OT and PT

  A Maryland school system is threatening to alter its health program because the department is...

• APTA explores alternative payment methodologies

  At a recent meeting, the American Physical Therapy Association's (APTA) Board of Directors...

Issue 45, November 10, 2006

• Rehab company finds success with Parkinson's program

  A Texas PT has opened a clinic that specializes in treating patients with Parkinson's disease...

• Fee schedule increases cap limits; decreases payment

  The 2007 Medicare fee schedule will increase the therapy caps to $1,780 for PT and SLP combined and...

• Low-calorie diets may cause stress fractures in female athletes

  Female college athletes may be at risk for stress fractures by eating low-calorie diets, according...

Issue 44, November 3, 2006

• Michigan facility thriving after branching out

  TheraMatrix, a Pontiac, MI-based private practice physical therapy business has made great strides...

• Study: PT helps with partial paralysis

  Short-term, intensive PT helps some stroke survivors with partial paralysis on one side of the...

• APTA creates election guide

  The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has created a tool to help members decide who to...

Issue 43, October 27, 2006

• ASHA attempting to fix SLP shortage

  The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) held a meeting with more than 60 leaders...

• Company to offer discount home infrared devices

  Healthlight Infrared Therapy says it will offer Medicare patients discounted home infrared therapy...

• CMS searching for alternative therapy payment systems

  CMS released three studies this week that the agency is using in an attempt to find alternative...

Issue 42, October 20, 2006

• Study: PT is effective for treating tennis elbow

  A study by the University of Queensland in Australia of 198 participants showed that patients with...

• Student PT clinic honored

  A Michigan-based student-run physical therapy clinic that treats the uninsured or underinsured was...

• Therapist runs one-man practice

  In an effort to offer patients more personalized care, a Milwaukee PT is operating a clinic where...

Issue 41, October 13, 2006

• ASHA develops Web site to educate children

  The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) launched a new campaign this week to help...

• PT group sponsors bike fitness fair

  The department of physical therapy at Ithaca (NY) College teamed up with the school’s cycling...

• AOTA reaches out to keep politicians safe

  The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is used to lobbying Congress on behalf of OTs...

Issue 40, October 6, 2006

• APTA testifies in front of Congressional committee

  Representatives from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) testified in front of the...

• AOTA runs successful backpack safety campaign

  Occupational therapy practitioners, researchers, and students across the United States made...

• Iowa hospital focusing on fitness

  Clark County Hospital in Osceola, IA, is helping patients and members of the community stay fit...

Issue 39, September 29, 2006

• ACOTE adopts new accreditation standards

  The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) adopted new accreditation...

• Bill increases focus on rehab research

  The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved legislation last week that will require the...

• OIG will look for duplicate claims

  The 2007 Office of Inspector General (OIG) Work Plan will assess whether CMS is able to identify...

Issue 38, September 22, 2006

• Reminder: CMS will hold payments beginning today

  Rehab providers should remember to factor in CMS' temporary Medicare payment hold into their...

• Rehab facility to incorporate Somatics into practice

  Therapists at Farmington Valley (CT) Physical Therapy will soon usea method known as Somatics...

• PTs and OTs set to educate runners

  Members of the Oklahoma University-Tulsa Department of Rehabilitation Sciences Program will offer...

Issue 37, September 15, 2006

• PT exam fees will remain same until 2009

  The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the Federation of State Boards of Physical...

• PT company agrees to $188,000 settlement

  Advanced Physical Therapy, based in Indiana, agreed to pay the U.S. government more than $188,000...

• Study: Physical activity reverses damage from high-fat meal

  Participating in some type of physical activity after a high-fat meal reverses the arterial...

Issue 36, September 8, 2006

• U.S. Physical Therapy closing 26 clinics

  In order to save $600,000 a year on taxes and staff, U.S. Physical Therapy, a Houston-based...

• AOTA gears up to prevent backpack injuries

  The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) will sponsor National School Backpack...

• Study: 70% of ACL injuries in youths lead to arthritis

  Nearly 70% of young athletes who suffer injuries to their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) wind up...

Issue 35, September 1, 2006

• ABPTS certification on the rise

  The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) awarded specialist certification to 802...

• Medicare issues reminder about nine-day payment hold

  In a recent open door forum, CMS issued a reminder to all providers who bill Medicare contractors...

• Video game could help stroke rehab

  Researchers at Rutgers University are experimenting with a modified video game system that may help...

Issue 34, August 25, 2006

• Congressman meets with PT facility; discusses caps

  U.S. Rep. G.K. Butterfield visited Comprehensive Rehab of Wilson (NC) Inc., earlier this week to...

• CMS issues instructions on new billing form

  Rehab providers who bill Medicare fiscal intermediaries using the UB-92 form should pay attention...

• College operates therapy-based running and cycling clinic

  Des Moines (IA) University is operating one of the country's only physical therapy-based running...

Issue 33, August 18, 2006

• CMS taking comments on infrared policy

  CMS is seeking public comment on its proposed determination that the use of infrared devices is not...

• HealthSouth to sell physical therapy clinics

  HealthSouth has plans to sell off its freestanding physical therapy clinics to focus on inpatient...

• MRIs could help preemies get therapy early

  Scanning pre-term infants with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans just weeks after birth may...

Issue 32, August 11, 2006

• CMS clarifies the eight-minute rule

  CMS issued Transmittal 1019 on August 3 to clear up confusion over the eight-minute rule.

• Study: PT treats tennis elbow same as brace

  There is no difference in the clinical or cost effectiveness of treating tennis elbow through...

• PT and OT critical to stroke rehab

  Physical therapy and occupational therapy each have distinct roles in a patient's recovery from a...

Issue 31, August 4, 2006

• CMS proposes Medicare payment cuts to therapists

  CMS' proposed five-year fee schedule review could cut payments to physical therapists by more than...

• Bill may help PTs repay student loans faster

  More than 100 members of the House of Representatives have cosponsored a piece of legislation that...

• NY passes direct access law

  New York became the 43rd state to pass direct access legislation when Gov. George Pataki signed the...

Issue 30, July 28, 2006

• OIG report finds PCH didn't provide medical necessity on claims

  A June 28 report by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) looked at 114 PT and OT claims filed by...

• APTA supports Medicare Independent Living Act

  The American Physical Therapy Association President (APTA) Scott Ward wrote a letter to Congress in...

• Surveyed clinics could face user fees

  Healthcare facilities subject to CMS certification, survey, or complaint visits will be subject to...

Issue 29, July 21, 2006

• CMS ends HIPAA contingency plan

  CMS recently announced that effective October 1, Medicare will stop sending electronic remittance...

• Mistrial declared in Medicare fraud case

  The Houston man accused of bilking Medicare for more than $500,000 will have to wait six months for...

• Survey names PT as a top-eight job in the U.S.

  The profession of physical therapist is one of the top eight jobs in the U.S., according to a...

Issue 28, July 14, 2006

• Appeals court rejects

  The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans last week affirmed a lower court ruling that...

• PTPN finds partner to advocate for independent therapists

  PTPN, the country's largest network of independent rehab therapists, has partnered with Connolly...

• Therapy students find aquatics class helps challenged kids

  Physical therapy students from Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA, are helping to lead an...

Issue 27, July 7, 2006

• Ohio practice opens outdoor therapy area

  Aultman Health Foundation's Woodlawn Therapy facility in Jackson, OH, has opened an outdoor...

• Heating tool starts fire in PT office of hospital

  The physical therapy offices at Immanuel St. Joseph's Hospital in Mankato, MN, were closed this...

• Illinois practice performs school physicals; donates money to athletic programs

  QMG Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine provides sports physicals to most of the athletes in the...

Issue 26, June 30, 2006

• Professional organizations form coalition to extend exceptions process

  The American Physical Therapy Association, the American Occupational Therapy Association, and the...

• Healis, Advance PT Network merge in Florida

  In an effort to allow independent therapists to get onto major insurance carrier networks, Healis...

• MedPAC stresses the need for SLP accountability

  The recent Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPac) report highlighted the importance of a...

Issue 25, June 23, 2006

• MedPAC calls for pilot studies to improve therapy data

  The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) suggested that CMS conduct pilot studies to...

• Physician sentenced for defrauding Medicare and Medicaid

  A Texas physician was sentenced to 11 years and three months in prison for his participation in a...

• Report: By 2030, 3.48 million people will have knee replacement surgery

  Total knee replacement surgery is rapidly becoming more common, according to an American Academy of...

Issue 24, June 16, 2006

• Report: Congress likely to extend therapy caps exceptions policy

  There is broad consent in Congress to extend the Medicare therapy caps exceptions policy, according...

• U.S. Army added PT section to brigade

  The U.S. Army Forces Command and Medical Command deployed a physical therapy section into Baghdad...

• APTA opposes AMA's effort to limit patient choice

  The American Physical Therapy Association joined the Coalition for Patients' Rights (CPR), a group...

Issue 23, June 9, 2006

• New Jersey schools improperly billed Medicaid

  A federal audit says that school districts in New Jersey improperly filed claims for thousands of...

• Connecticut passes direct access legislation

  Connecticut became the 42nd state to pass direct access legislation when it passed bill SB 164 on...

• Program offers seniors assistance with balance

  Verdugo Hills Hospital's Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department in La Canada Flintridge...

Issue 22, June 2, 2006

• Two Florida men arrested for Medicare fraud

  A Florida grand jury indicted a father and son on charges that they paid kickbacks to healthcare...

• Louisiana foundation helps children receive therapy

  The NeuroPeds Foundation is helping children in Louisiana receive therapy services they would not...

• Report: Too many Americans undergoing back surgery

  Americans have back surgery 40% more often than any other country, according to an ABC News World...

Issue 21, May 26, 2006

• New Medicare providers must use new form to enroll

  As of May 1, therapists must use form 855I to enroll in the Medicare program for the first time...

• Kentucky limiting Medicaid beneficiaries' therapy visits

  Looking to reducing the rapidly rising costs of Medicaid, Kentucky will limit beneficiaries to 15...

• Massachusetts rehab center to operate like a hotel

  Wingate Healthcare in Needham, MA, has opened up a chain of luxury rehab centers in the Boston...

Issue 20, May 19, 2006

• CMS clarifies rehab agency regulations

  CMS sent a letter to state survey agency directors on May 11 to clarify its regulations on rehab...

• Medicaid cuts hurting therapy services in Mississippi

  Cuts to Medicaid for PT, OT, and speech therapy in Mississippi are beginning to have an effect on...

• Hospitals offering therapy to premature babies

  PT and OT can help premature babies adjust to their early arrival, but not enough hospitals offer...

Issue 19, May 12, 2006

• Report: Medicare to run out of funds in 2018

  Medicare’s hospital trust fund will run out of money in 2018, a full two years earlier than...

• U.S. Physical Therapy's stock drops 7% in one day

  U.S. Physical Therapy, a Houston-based national operator of physical and occupation therapy...

• Dance troupes in need of physical therapists

  Dance troupes across the country are in need of physical therapists, reported the Medill News...

Issue 18, May 5, 2006

• Georgia passes direct access legislation

  Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed into law legislation that authorizes direct patient access to...

• Study: Arthritis sufferers need more exercise

  People suffering from arthritis aren't getting nearly enough exercise, according to a study...

• CMS will allow electronic file sharing for NPIs

  CMS announced it will allow health industry organizations to submit healthcare providers&rsquo...

Issue 17, April 28, 2006

• CMS projects 4.6% cut in 2007 fees; cites growth in PT spending

  CMS forecasted that Medicare payments to PTs and other providers under the Part B physician fee...

• Louisiana PT program uses spacesuit

  PLAY Physical Therapy in Shreveport, LA, is using a special therapeutic suit to help patients...

• Nebraska ensures physical therapy standards

  Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman signed a law into action last week to update physical therapy...

Issue 16, April 21, 2006

• Study: Anodyne helps reduce pain

  Two recent studies show that including Anodyne therapy as part of a comprehensive physical therapy...

• IL bill could provide help for MS patients

  Illinois Senate Bill 2917 may help multiple sclerosis (MS) patients receive insurance coverage for...

• Chronic pain is the leading cause of disability

  Chronic pain affects 50 million Americans, making it the number one cause of disability in the...

Issue 15, April 14, 2006

• Some PTs may receive relief from student loans

  PTs who practice in areas where there are shortages of healthcare providers may get relief from...

• ASHA recommends revisions to Connecticut Medicare policy

  The American Speech-Hearing-Language Association (ASHA) advised the Medicare fiscal intermediary...

• OIG advises against free home safety assessments

  In a recent advisory opinion, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) says that providing free...

Issue 14, April 7, 2006

• ASHA praises volume setting software

  Apple recently announced new software that will allow parents to limit the volume on iPods, an...

• LSU starts doctorate program to keep up with the competition

  Louisiana State University (LSU) unveiled its new physical therapy doctorate program last week...

• Signing bonuses help to recruit new therapists

  Physical therapists are beginning to earn signing bonuses more frequently and with higher values...

Issue 13, March 31, 2006

• CMS expands cardiac rehab services

  CMS will expand coverage for cardiac rehabilitation services to three additional groups of...

• CMS explains expedited determination process in Q&A

  CMS posted a question-and-answer document on its Web site last week explaining the expedited...

• Study will look at benefits of vision therapy

  A new demonstration project by CMS will take a look at Medicare's coverage of rehabilitation...

Issue 12, March 24, 2006

• FL Department of Health warns unlicensed PT practice

  The Florida Department of Health (FDH) recently issued a written warning to a Fort Lauderdale...

• Lasers helping to treat carpal tunnel

  Anchor Physical Therapy in Broomfield, CO, is using a cold laser to help treat carpal tunnel...

• Texas using phones for physical therapy

  The Texas State Health Science Center is allowing physical therapists to treat and monitor patients...

Issue 11, March 17, 2006

• ABPTS close to approving women's health as specialty

  The American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) voted unanimously to approve the...

• PT makes Parade's hot jobs list

  Physical therapist was one of seven job titles to make Parade Magazine's list of "Hot Jobs in 2006...

• Study: Tinnitus impacts attention, memory

  Chronic, moderate tinnitus can affect memory and attention, according to a study by the American...

Issue 10, March 10, 2006

• Study: PT can prevent frailty in the elderly

  A recent study by the Yale University School of Medicine shows that physical therapy can help delay...

• Medicare approves obesity surgery

  Last month Medicare endorsed three types of bariatric surgeries, stating the surgeries were...

• Titanium "bullet" helps fight spinal pain

  Ann Alexander became the first patient in Ohio to undergo surgery to have the X-Stop prosthesis...

Issue 9, March 3, 2006

• APTA offering free leadership conference

  The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) announced it is offering a free, one-day...

• Study: Calcium and Vitamin D supplements offer slight help

  A study of more than 36,000 middle-aged and elderly women shows that calcium and Vitamin D...

• Survey: Text messaging damaging thumbs

  A survey by Virgin Mobile reported that text messaging on cell phones causes 3.8 million cases of...

Issue 8, February 24, 2006

• AOTA expands driving rehab database

  The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) expanded and updated its searchable database...

• PTs, OTs, and SLPs make list of "hot jobs"

  Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and audiology all recently made US News and...

• Service dogs helping disabled with daily tasks

  A business in North Carolina is helping the disabled with everyday tasks and therapy, according to...

Issue 7, February 17, 2006

• CMS releases therapy cap exceptions policy

  CMS announced its plans for an exceptions process to the therapy cap which allow some beneficiaries...

• AOTA approved as IACET Licensed Standards User

  The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) awarded The American...

• Researchers worry about Medicare report card results

  The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) has concerns over the accuracy of the report cards...

Issue 6, February 10, 2006

• Specialists must produce industry change

  PTs must redefine their role to become "doctor practitioners" who diagnose and use non-drug...

• Interdisciplinary education needed in PT programs

  A need exists for interdisciplinary educational opportunities for students in PT education programs...

• Therapy offers paralyzed patients the chance to walk

  A new therapy treatment is allowing partially paralyzed patients the chance to experience walking...

Issue 5, February 3, 2006

• Deficit Reduction Act awaits President's signature

  The House of Representatives voted 216 to 214 Wednesday to pass the Deficit Reduction Act...

• MedPAC releases outpatient therapy report

  The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) recently released its report, "Medicare Basics...

• APTA sponsors ski and snowboard safety line

  APTA’s Sports and Orthopedics Section is sponsoring a safety hotline for skiers and...

Issue 4, January 27, 2006

• Pediatric conference focuses on IDEA

  The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) joined the Section on Pediatrics this month to...

• AOTA works to modify low-income homes

  As a result of relationships between the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and...

• Michigan, Indiana seek to license massage therapists

  Legislators in Indiana and Michigan are seeking bills that would require massage therapists to be...

Issue 3, January 20, 2006

• MedPAC urges no 2007 payment increase for SNFs, Home Health, IRFs

  Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), home health providers, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities...

• Cap vote to take place February 1

  Final congressional action on the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (S. 1932) is scheduled for February...

• Healthcare spending growth rate declined in 2004

  The growth in healthcare spending in the U.S. slowed for the second straight year in 2004...

Issue 2, January 13, 2006

• APTA to discuss cap in audioconference

  The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is offering therapists a chance to get their...

• AOTA urges CMS to continue paying after cap limit

  As limits to Medicare reimbursements for outpatient occupational therapy services go into effect...

• PT finds success combining with fitness training

  A Woburn, MA, PT is finding success by co-marketing his business as a wellness center and physical...

Issue 1, January 6, 2006

• AOTA offers teleconference on cap help

  The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is offering its members a free teleconference...

• CMS proposes to expand cardiac rehab services

  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced its proposal to expand...

• APTA endorses ergonomic chair for back support

  The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has endorsed the Zody task chair by Haworth Inc of...

Issue 1, January 24, 2006

• Cancel out patient no-shows

  Make sure your patients are showing up as scheduled