SUPPORT the Medicare Patient Choice Act (H.R. 4204)

I hope all therapists will read about the  Medicare Patient Choice Act (H.R. 4204) legislation that would enable PTs OTs and STs  to privately contract with Medicare beneficiaries. H.R. 4204 was introduced by Reps. Lloyd Smucker, R-PA, and Don Davis, D-NC. Medicare  beneficiaries should be empowered to choose their
health care professionals and this legislative change that would allow therapy providers to opt out of Medicare, enabling patients to privately contract with their preferred health care providers. Currently, physicians have the authority to opt out of the Medicare program and privately contract
with Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare allows other practitioners, such as physician assistants, dentists,
podiatrists, optometrists, social workers, psychologists, nurse midwives, dieticians, and other eligible providers,
to do so as well. Under this framework, these providers are barred from providing any Medicare services to any
Medicare beneficiaries for a two-year period or billing Medicare for any care delivered.
The Medicare Patient Choice Act would add therapy providers to the current list of health care
providers who may opt out of Medicare. To provide greater patient choice and ensure continuity of care, therapists
need the capability to opt out of Medicare to continue treating patients whose new Medicare coverage may
not include non-participating providers. For patients, this option is of critical importance if they continue to visit
the health care provider they know and trust, even if that provider is not participating in Medicare. It is imperative
that Medicare enrollees have the freedom to choose the most appropriate provider and model of care to meet
their needs.

As Medicare administrative burdens and reimbursement challenges persist, many believe  that medically necessary  therapy services are delayed — ultimately impacting patients’clinical outcomes — because of the time and resources they must spend on administrative tasks rather than patient care. It is imperative for providers to have the flexibility to choose what is most appropriate for their practices and patients. Providers
should have the ability to deliver care in the manner they deem appropriate and that Medicare beneficiaries
should not be limited in their choice of high-quality health care providers. This bill could deliver reforms for both patients and providers and produce cost savings for Medicare. In a study by the independent consulting firm Dobson and Davanzo, the bill is projected to save Medicare over $139.6 million over 10 years.

This legislation is endorsed by the American Physical Therapy Association, APTA Private Practice, the
Academy of Doctors of Audiology, the American Chiropractic Association, the American Occupational
Therapy Association, and the American Speech-Hearing Language Association.