Last Time?

In case you missed it, today (October 23rd) is the day perhaps one final PHE extension became effective. Here’s what it means for PT: 

On Friday, October 2, HHS Secretary Azar announced he is extending the public health emergency declaration, effective October 23, 2020 for the 3rd time. 

The PHE will be up for renewal again January 23rd.

This 3rd renewal means that PTs and PTAs in private practice and facility-based physical therapy providers will:

• continue to have access to the temporary Medicare regulatory waivers, and
• new rules that afford providers the flexibility to respond to COVID-19 pandemic, including telehealth coverage.

Attention Physical Therapists:

If you’ve been working remotely and providing PT services via telehealth, what is next for you? Have you already been treading water trying to save your practice? Without real action, PT innovation and advocacy to make your voice heard about how important digital therapy and remote care can be for your patients that need ongoing support in the safety of their homes, this flexibility may be gone as of January 23rd.

Will this be the time you say enough is enough?

{Personal Sidebar} It is difficult to be working on a thin lifeline not knowing what the final ruling will be and how to continue to practice safely and profitably. If this is the last PHE extension from the Fed on top of the upcoming 9% proposed cut to therapy from CMS, many clinics will close or have fewer options for their patients to access quality care. Some therapists, like myself, will find it difficult to continue practicing under these conditions.

"The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule includes deep cuts in payment to over 35 health care providers. Physical therapy services are slated for a 9% cut. If this cut becomes reality, it will devastate patient access to care and will shutter countless small businesses. CMS is ignoring the concerns expressed by patients, multiple health care groups, and some members of Congress about these proposed cuts — so it’s time for Congress to intervene."- APTA 

How did we get here? Why haven't PT practices innovated? Please chime in! I've already been very vocal about what needs to be done. Who wants to help?