January 18

Dear friends and colleagues;  Last week I had the opportunity to meet with physical therapy industry leaders, (including Roger Herr, APTA president) at the Graham sessions and discuss solutions to the many challenges impacting health care and the physical therapy profession. Our legislative efforts and success, SIG’s and professional development offerings, certainly made me proud that we may be little, but we have a mighty chapter. And that’s because of all of you! Thank you all for your involvement and engagement.   Michelle

Meet Kim Serra

CDC and RI DOH updates on COVID 19 Regulations, Quarantine and Isolation

Rhode Island Department of Health COVID 19 portal COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance by Population as of Dec. 31, 2021 Frequently Asked Questions: Updated Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for General Public as of Dec. 30, 2021

Payment Updates Prepared by APTA RI Payment Chair: Yvonne Swanson

Congress passed an end-of-year package greatly reducing the impending cuts to Medicare set to begin on January 1, 2022 and President Biden has signed the bill into law. Highlights of the new law: Provides a 3% payment increase to the 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule resulting less of a total cuts from 4% to about 1% depending on the care provided and billing patterns The return of the 2% Medicare sequestration will be on hold until April 1 2022. Despite a strong and vocal coalition of advocates, the payment differential for therapy assistants still stands. Starting on January 1, the 15% payment differential will be imposed APTA and the Private Practice Section continues to advocate for: A delay in the application of the payment differential and exempting those therapy assistants who are working in rural and medically underserved areas. State law to determine PTA supervision requirements for Medicare in outpatient therapy settings.   Humana Adopts new Utilization Management company Cohere Health, a new entry to the UM landscape, is assuming responsibility for prior authorization for Humana in all 50 states effective 1/1/22. APTA has created a resource to help Providers and Practice Managers navigate these changes in the New Year.   Go to RIAPTA’s Website to access this resource: https://www.riapta.com/Payment/ Additional links on the Cohere program: Cohere Health’s Provider Knowledge Center includes training materials, webinars, and other onboarding resources Recent Provider Newsletter which includes the 50-state expansion announcement

Upcoming Events

NorthEast Physical Therapy Conference CEHs available Recordings available for up to one year. Registration

Looking for Volunteers

Looking for an additional volunteer opportunity? Email now to volunteer at the Rhode Island Free Clinic

APTA RI Apparel Store Looking for new Fall apparel with the APTA RI logo? Start Shopping