Do the Right Thing: It is Cheaper & More Effective

Amidst the noise of the healthcare debate when it comes to musculoskeletal problems the solution is pretty easy.  The current state of affairs for most patients who have low back pain looks like this:

 

However, a recent report by Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and trumpeted by Dr. Scott Ward, PT demonstrated that patients with musculoskeletal conditions who receive physical therapy are less likely to have surgery, incur lower costs, and fare better than patients who do not receive such services.  There has never been a more opportune time to let your voices be heard.  It is a simple request “PT Direct Access for all Medicare patients and remove the senseless CAP.  Please let your representatives know frequently and often.  The right thing to do looks like this:

If you have not committed to either attending the AAOMPT and Orthopaedic Section, APTA Capitol Hill Day or committed to writing your representatives during that week it is now time to commit.  To date we have approximately 150 colleagues that will be joining us on that day.  However, we are still missing representation from a few states…really use some representation from AL, AR, CT, DE, KY, and OH.  I know we have folks from there!  If you are still not motivated to “be of some use” than please listen to my favorite motivator!

Tim