Eli's Rehab Report
Legislation: New Bill Addresses PT-Oral Health Specialist Connection
Although the legislation is only in its beginning stages, a new bill hit the House of Representatives on March 11 that attempts to open the referral channels for physical therapists. The Medicare Oral Health Rehabilitative Enhancement Act (HR 5590) would allow dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons to certify physical therapy plans of care for Medicare beneficiaries, according to the American Physical Therapy Association's PT Bulletin Online. "Currently, Medicare restricts dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons from referring to PTs, even though 38 states explicitly authorize dentists to do so," the Bulletin says. Bill cosponsors are Reps. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ) and Eric Cantor (R-VA). To view more details of the bill, go to http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h5590ih.txt.pdf.
Eli's Rehab Report
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- Outpatient Outlook:
Good News -- CMS Report Reveals Win-Win Situation for Exceptions Process
If you provide outpatient therapy, and you're not in a hospital-based setting, you're probably nervously [...] - Practice Pointers:
Turn Over a New Leaf With a Consumer-Friendly Approach
Learn creative ways to work with the latest healthcare payment environmentHigher copays, more expensive insurance [...] - Clip and Save:
Go to Bat for Your Patients With This Handy Letter
When a patient's private (not Medicare) insurance plan says 30 therapy visits per year, that's [...] - Analyze This:
Your SNF's Rehab Therapy Utilization
A simple calculation can offer a wealth of information If you want to know how [...] - Clinical Rehab Roundup:
Vestibular Rehab Shows Long-Term Effects
"Vestibular rehabilitation in individuals with inner-ear dysfunction: a pilot study."Enticott JC, Vitkovic JJ, Reid B, [...] - Clinical Rehab Roundup:
Adherence to Exercise Strategies Is Key
"Endurance exercise training to improve economy of movement of people with Parkinson's disease: three case [...] - Reader Questions:
Try Coding This Tough Dx
Question: I am seeing a Medicare patient who came in with a script for the [...] - Reader Questions:
Reconsider Your Definition of 'Long-Term'
Question: My team is struggling over the definition of "long-term functional goals" for therapy. More [...] - News Briefs:
Legislation: New Bill Addresses PT-Oral Health Specialist Connection
Although the legislation is only in its beginning stages, a new bill hit the House [...] - News Briefs:
Inpatient Rehab: Brace for Payment Decreases: Proposed IRF PPS Rule Tells All
It's that time of year again -- CMS has released its 2009 proposed changes to [...] - News Briefs:
Carrier News: Hot Packs a Hot Item in Highmark's Top Denials
Want a window into a Medicare contractor's denials for rehab services? You can check out [...]
