Current Issues: Advocacy
Over 90 organizations sign on to letter re: Preschool Education Programs in New York. In an effort to bring awareness to the need to increase the reimbursement rates for preschool education programs and evaluations by 10% in the NYS budget for Fiscal Year 2021, over 90 organizations signed on to a letter sent to Governor Cuomo on February 18. You can read the letter here.
Policy change in Washington to assist in getting power wheelchairs approved by Medicaid. The PT Association of Washington was successful in getting Medicaid policy changed to assist pediatric physical therapists to get power wheelchairs covered by Medicaid. The policy change become effective on January 10, 2020. You can access the policy with the new wording changes here.
APTA has developed a template letter for you to use in advocating to your payers — private, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid (both fee for service and MCOs) — for coverage of telehealth furnished by PTs and PTAs to ensure that patients continue to have access to the rehabilitative care they need amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Instructions are included at the top of the letter.
To submit Medicaid policy COVID-19 related questions/comments: medicaid.covid19@dhhs.nc.gov
For more information: http://www.apta.org/Telehealth/
APTA Pediatrics Volunteer Opportunities
APTA Pediatrics uses APTA Engage to manage our volunteer opportunities. APTA Pediatrics members are encouraged to visit APTA Engage to read more about the open positions and to apply. To see current APTA Pediatrics positions, click on Opportunities > My Chapter & Sections > Pediatrics. Positions are being posted all the time - make sure to sign up to automatically receive curated volunteer alerts, so you don't miss chances to be involved!