PTs and PTAs have an opportunity to convince the federal government to close
the<br />
loophole in the Stark physician self-referral law and protect PT services as
Congress originally intended. APTA urges all PTs and PTAs to submit comments to
CMS and call on CMS to remove physical therapy from the "in-office
ancillary services" exception to the federal physician self-referral
laws.<br />
Time is short - you must act now, before the August 31 deadline for comments!<br
/>
In the proposed rule for the 2008 Medicare physician fee schedule, CMS<br />
expressed concern that the in-office ancillary services exception to the Stark
law is being "misconstrued" and created "a thriving
environment for fraud and abuse." The agency said it received
"hundreds of
letters from physical therapists" warning of this situation and now seeks
comments on "whether certain services should not qualify for the
exception." <br />
What can you do? Submit comments in writing to CMS immediately explaining why
physical therapy services should not be allowed under the in-office ancillary
services exception. <br />
Individualize your comments. Your personal experiences will provide the most
compelling information. Please fax a copy of your comments to APTA (703)
706-3246- but do not "cc:" PPS
or APTA on your letter. <br />
You may also submit your comments electronically at <a
href="http://www.cms.hhs.gov/eRulemaking/"
target="_blank">http://www.cms.hhs.gov/eRulemaking/</a>
. Click on the link "Submit<br />
electronic comments on CMS regulations with an open comment period."<br />