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color="#4f604f"><font size="2" color="#4f604f"><font size="3"><strong>New
Legislation Would Extend Therapy Cap Exceptions</strong>
<div> </div></font><font size="2" color="#000000">Medicare therapy caps on
outpatient rehabilitation services would be postponed under <a target="_blank"
linktype="undefined"
href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?e=001yFLS0VPHpzTSITTOlLfqa90IJDw6CfUWi5ATkPwDx0B9Swrb7kUkqQBwuVKF6qKd10JlnvI0V_irE97TeXD6ac0E7bGGJWhTpWWu0h_zrKhltpoTm7wP1bjtpPvxM3OvvU57-5xiyX7iHqvw5TImHAetC9RQ-dljfmGPl1VT1oMo-HAdMSMuji644gCK6Su5j4P9jMGEN7QPggVbypAtKKVXvj3gH_ci7UJdICuc0qeSuPnd8UK16otkjS7MjE2NCluv_dQPaUu2P_FprSKsQiHm4WTxU-Bv33T6q6YOTFc="><font
color="#0000ff">legislation</font></a>
introduced this week by Congressman Earl Pomeroy (D-ND). The Long Term
Care Quality & Modernization Act of 2007 (HR 4082) extends the
exceptions process for the caps, which limit outpatient coverage to
$1,780 for physical therapy and speech-language pathology combined and
$1,780 for occupational therapy. The caps, which will take effect at
the end of the year unless Congress steps in, reduce patients' choice
of providers, require them to pay out-of-pocket for necessary
treatment, and delay care. Further, studies show that the caps
discriminate against the most vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries, such
as those who have had a stroke, amputation, or multiple
disabilities.</font></font></font></font></span>
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