Can We Remove Physical Therapy as an In-Office Ancillary Service?

We, as a profession, have until 8/31/2007 to comment, educate and provide a rationale for excluding physical therapy services as an "in-office ancillary service."  CMS is accepting comments on this topic until the end of the month.

Have your voice heard about your view of physician owned physical therapy clinics at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/eRulemaking/

You can electronically submit your thoughts on the above link by 8/31/2007. I believe your comments would be directed toward: CMS-1385-P

The APTA can assist you in the format of your comments. The public will be able to view your comments at some point in time.

Some helpful information:

OIG Report on Physical Therapy billed by Physicians – hand stamped date of May 1, 2006:  http://www.oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-09-02-00200.pdf

APTA White Paper on POPTS: http://www.mopt.org/pdf/POPTS.pdf

Position Statement of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: http://www.aaos.org/about/papers/position/1166.asp  (always good to know the arguing points of an opponent)

All the legal stuff from South Carolina:  http://www.judicial.state.sc.us/opinions/displayOpinion.cfm?caseNo=26209

Comments

[Selena Horner]

CMS-1385-P can be found at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/quarterlyproviderupdates/downloads/cms1385p.pdf

Page 59 has Physician Self-Referral

For those who choose to comment, CMS has advised to preface your comments with "PHYSICIAN SELF-REFERRAL PROVISIONS."