Once again, millions of Medicare beneficiaries are having their physical and occupational therapy rationed with the expiration of the exceptions process on Medicare coverage of outpatient therapy back in effect as of yesterday.

 

 

It’s unconscionable to ration therapy for people recovering from strokes, hip replacements and other conditions when outpatient therapy can restore health and independence for these individuals.

 

 

This policy is a powerful example of bad public policy driven by regulation and cost cutting instead of human need. Right now, coverage is capped at $1,810 for physical and speech therapy combined and another $1,810 for occupational therapy for each beneficiary. Since CMS will count any therapy a person may have received since the beginning of the year. many people will unknowingly exceed their annual cap.  These people are likely to find this out when they go for their therapy appointments.

 

 

Here’s another way to think about it. If a person had a hip replacement in January and then suffers a stroke in August, he or she will not be able to get coverage for the therapy to help that person recover from both illnesses and eventually need less medical intervention.

 

 

There’s just five days until Congress must pass the legislation needed to reinstitute the exceptions process. The House has already passed H.R. 6331, which extends the exceptions process for 18 months by an overwhelming majority. Contact your Senators now and urge them to support this legislation so that ensure that our nation’s elders receive the services they need when they need them.