The Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act (H.R. 7618), recently introduced byCongresswomen Carol Miller (R-WV) and Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), aims to enhance Medicare by offering coverage for falls prevention done by physical or occupational therapists (PTs and OTs) at annual wellness visits and initial preventive physical exams. Falls are a significant public healthcare concern, with rates of senior falls rising to an estimated 52 million annually by 2030, creating substantial healthcare costs and follow-up care for personal injuries. The SAFE Act addresses the urgent need fo ..read more

APTQI’s 2024 Practice Tour Program for Members of Congress is off to a successful start! These clinic-based tours enable meaningful interactions between lawmakers, congressional staffers, and physical therapy practices nationwide. These tours serve as a platform for education, advocacy, and collaboration, addressing critical legislative issues shaping the future of physical therapy and patient care. The first visits of the 2024 facility tour program have already yielded significant milestones, with congressional staffers visiting APTQI member clinics across the nation. To date, Representative ..read more

In February, a bipartisan group of more than thirty Senators sent a letter to Majority Leader Schumer and Minority Leader McConnell urging them to stop the severe Medicare payment cuts to healthcare providers, including physical therapists. On January 1, a 3.37 percent cut to Medicare payments went into effect. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) chose to finalize these cuts despite warnings and opposition from Medicare stakeholders across the care continuum. These cuts will only exacerbate existing challenges and ultimately make it more difficult for patients to access the ..read more

Preventive healthcare measures are often undervalued despite their profound impact on long-term health outcomes and cost savings. The Preventive Health Savings Act (S. 114/H.R. 766) is bipartisan bicameral legislation that aims to rectify this by reevaluating how the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) assesses the budgetary effects of preventive healthcare policies. This may sound very “in-the-weeds,” but this bill will have a major impact on how Congress considers future policies to promote preventive healthcare. Introduced by Representatives Michael Burgess (R-TX) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), al ..read more

It’s never good when a senior hurts themselves in a fall – but when the incident happens in a hospital or doctor’s office, the stakes can feel even higher. To help improve patient safety and prevent injuries and even death, healthcare leaders need to implement strategies to reduce the risk of patients falling. The data is jaw-dropping: an estimated 84% of adverse events in hospital patients are due to falls, which can complicate recovery. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 14 million, or 1 in 4 older adults report falling every year. In fact, over the years the f ..read more

By Tom Furr, CEO of PatientPay What began as a private practice therapy group formed in partnership with a professional basketball player transistioned into a group of 40 physical and hand therapy clinics across the Northwest in 2019. But it took a shift to digital payment and account management to protect the solo status at Integrated Rehab Group. Just a year after they found a local bank willing to take a risk with them in striking out on their own, the pandemic emerged. Suddenly, the moves IRG had made to gain greater freedom to make decisions that were good for their patients, team, and co ..read more

The APTQI Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Steering Committee assists the Board of Directors in creating and supporting initiatives that will empower APTQI’s member companies to promote diversity and equity in the workplace and inclusion in the communities in which they serve. In a new guest blog post, Dr. Heidi Jannenga, Chair of APTQI’s DEI Steering Committee and Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Officer of WebPT, talks about APTQI’s work to advance DEI in the physical therapy workforce:       The demand for physical therapy services is at an all-time hi ..read more

Chronic pain affects millions of individuals across the United States, prompting a critical evaluation of the current strategies for its management. A recent study, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), underscores the need for a more comprehensive and balanced approach to chronic pain care. The study reveals that a significant portion of US adults with chronic pain relies heavily on medication, with one in four individuals managing symptoms through medication alone. While over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers a ..read more

As a leading advocate for physical therapy quality and innovation, APTQI recognizes the importance of Medicare payment stability, not only for our member organizations but for the entire healthcare system and the patients it serves. That is why APTQI joined 53 other organizations on November 6 in signing a letter calling for Congress to stop the 3.4% payment cut the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently finalized in the Calendar Year 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule. The 3.4% reduction that is scheduled to go into effect on January 1 is especially ala ..read more

In a significant move to address the pressing issue of household falls and their consequences in Maine, and nationwide, Senator Angus King (I-Maine) has announced a legislative initiative aimed at helping older residents “Stand Strong” and avoid fall-related injuries. ATPQI is committed to promoting the well-being of older Americans and wholeheartedly supports this effort to enhance preventative care and reduce fall-related incidents. The Stand Strong Legislative Package The “Stand Strong” legislative package comprises crucial components that emphasize proactive home modifications and increase ..read more