April 12
President Message
APTA RI President - Michelle Collie
Spring is in the year – and what a great way to kick of the new season with an Imaging course. Thank you so much to Dr. Justin Laferrier for teaching this very well attended event. What a privilege it is for the physical therapists in our small but mighty state to now be able to order imaging. Please be sure to invest in your professional development needs to ensure we utilize this privilege appropriately. And now is the time to save the date, for our summer social! June 21st at Finns Harborside in East Greenwich – looking forward to toasting our profession with you all!
 
Best, Michelle
APTA RI Membership Committee
All contributors welcome! Want to represent the voice of our members? Reach out now! Simply respond to this email!

What is the ask? We are seeking representation from individuals across our state who can serve as the "voice of members" across our diverse membership

Goal? Ensure the APTA RI Chapter is serving the needs of ALL members across settings, practice specialities, career stages, etc..

Time Commitment? We aim to bring this group together for 1 meeting per quarter to align on strategy and set goals
Payment / Advocacy Updates
Provided by Payment Chair Yvonne Swanson

A few specific Payment Policy Updates:
 
United Health Care- Community Plan Policy Update: 
  • This UHCCP policy was just released in March…many potential issues. 
  • For bulleted summary of impact especially additional documentation and referral
requirements, please go to our APTA RI website payment section.  
  • ACTION: APTA is working with the UHC medical director listing the problematic polices and provisions, highlighting the lack of direct access/ increased burden and asking for a call to discuss prior to the next quarterly meeting.
 
eviCore FAQ and Resources updated: 
 
The following has been adapted from APTA Friday Focus:
A recent letter to committee leadership says that it's time for systemic change to the PFS and Quality Payment Program, which includes MIPS.
 
The $1.5 trillion plan passed with bipartisan support. Here are three takeaways of interest to the physical therapy community.
 
Some providers who received phase 1 CARES Act funds are being told to return the money. Phase 2 recipients can still set things right.
The Legislative Action committee is working for YOU! 

Along with our lobbyists, The Mayforth Group, we are working to ensure a future where Physical Therapists will be a leader in the health care industry in our small but mighty state.

This session we have spent time meeting with law makers, including Governor McKee, testifying in legislative hearings, and working with other medical professionals to expand the privileges of Physical Therapists and increase access to our patients in Rhode Island.

Our current legislative priorities include reducing administrative burden for school based PTs and joining the national Physical Therapy Compact. We are also reinforcing Physical Therapists as Primary Care Providers by attempting to enact copay parity with other PCPs in our state.

We welcome feedback from APTA members and encourage everyone to join us by advocating with your local representatives.
You can be a powerful voice!
State Payer Advocacy Resource Center- SPARC
Great resource for your UM, payer questions and advocacy efforts:
Upcoming Events
APTA RI Neurology SIG
Exercise and Brain Health in Older Adults
April 13, 2022
6:30 – 7:30 PM
Presented by Ellen McGough,
URI PT Program Director

Virtual on Zoom
please pre register
Presentations needed
Are you interested in presenting at a local in person conference or a virtual, regional conference this fall? Presentation proposals are open until June 1.
LAMP Leadership 101
Hosted by APTA CT, MA, NH and RI
June 25 and 26, 2022
Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Worcester, MA


Check out this new collaborative Continuing Education / SIG Meeting Calendar with our neighboring states.
Find more CEH options at reasonable rates.
Click on image for the Google calendar.
APTA RI Apparel Store
Looking for new winter apparel with the APTA RI logo?