President Message

Please comment on Prior Auth!

Recently CMS has begun a campaign to better regulate insurer’s ability to use prior authorization – numerous rules have been proposed, but one in particular needs action from APTA members. CMS is proposing to dramatically streamline the prior authorization process across multiple plans that involve federal funds. The rule will require Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid and CHIP plans and ACA marketplace plans to automate certain components of their prior authorization process and respond to requests within a certain timeframe – among other proposals. APTA members need to go on the record in support of these rules and encourage CMS to go even farther. We strongly recommend that APTA members use our resources to draft their own comment letter highlighting their experiences with prior authorization and advising the agency on how to improve the process for providers and patients alike. Read more here, and here. And visit the APTA Regulatory Action Center to take action.

Additionally, here are a sampling of recent resources shared by APTA that highlight reimbursement:

Prior authorization and Medicare Advantage: 5 numbers to know (beckerspayer.com)

9 updates on prior authorization (beckerspayer.com)

The NH State Legislature is in the middle of its current session. Here are a sampling of the bills we are following:

HB188: Relative to the Duration of Physical Therapy. 

HB258: Establishing a Certification for Animal Chiropractors. 

HB66: Establishing a Committee to Study Non-pharmacological Treatment Options for Patients with Chronic Pain. 

To read more details on these bills, click Read More

We are also following bills that seek to address how the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification (OPLC) operates (HB655/HB594/HB2). 

For more information go to www.NH.gov, hover over the Government tab and click on NH State Legislature where you can input the bill number or search text. 

NH State Legislative Contact: Mark Mailloux

APTA Public Policy Priorities 2023-2024

The APTA has released its Public Policy Priorities 2023-2024. The Public Policy Priorities document is the roadmap for our advocacy for the lawmakers in the 118^th Congress. Please see the link below for

APTA Public Policy Priorities 2023-2024 | APTA

CMS proposed several regulations addressing prior authorization policies.

Check out comment opportunities and learn more about regulatory advocacy on the Regulatory Action Center. Regulatory Action Center | APTA

 Advocacy = Selfcare

Advocacy is selfcare. Feelings of burnout and fatigue are being felt across all practice setting. Having a voice and power in decision making is one way to combat feelings of burnout. The act of practicing small amounts of advocacy can give you feeling of purpose, accomplishment, contribution, connection, and power, which have a positive health benefit. We can’t make change without voices and numbers. If you believe that physical therapists and physical therapy assistants should have a voice in making rules and laws about physical therapy practice, then please take action. The APTA Action App makes it easy and simple. Download the App today!