Infinity Rehab Director of Professional Development Joins APTA Post-Acute Care Assessment and Payment Workgroup
Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) December 03, 2013 -- The political action arm of the American Physical Therapy Association, PT-PAC, is assembling a team of physical therapist leaders to take on the difficult task of reforming Medicare reimbursement tools and payments related to post-acute therapy services. “I am very excited to represent Infinity Rehab and work alongside experts from the industry as we take a deeper look at how we deliver and get paid for therapy provided across the post-acute care continuum,” says Derek Fenwick, PT, MBA, GCS, and Director of Professional Development for Infinity Rehab.
More than 11,000 Americans turn 65-years-old each day. This is an important birthday: These individuals become eligible to enroll in Medicare. Medicare then becomes the primary payer for each person’s health care needs for the remainder of life. PT-PAC recognizes that at the current rate of spending on health care, the current system has the potential to become overburdened.
The five key objectives of the PT-PAC Payment Workgroup are:
1) Create a single therapy component payment methodology
2) Standardize post-acute care patient assessment tools
3) Reporting of a uniform set of quality measures
4) Allow for identification of the individual therapist providing care on the Medicare claims form
5) Leveling of payments across post-acute care prospective payment systems (PPS) to determine appropriate payment levels to treat similar conditions during an episode of care regardless of the treatment setting
Fenwick, who also serves as the Vice President of the Oregon Physical Therapist Association, notes that action needs to be taken now in order to serve a growing population of older adults in need of post-acute therapy. “It is very important that we look at the way we provide care and receive reimbursement now, and create more efficient and effective ways to deliver these services to older adults going forward.”
About APTA
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) represents more than 85,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and students of physical therapy nationwide.
About Infinity Rehab
Established in 1999, Infinity Rehab is a leading provider of clinically intensive, comprehensive physical, occupational and speech therapy in the sub-acute and long-term care environment. The company was founded and is led by a team of therapists. It serves patients in skilled nursing facilities, outpatient settings in continuing care communities, free-standing assisted living and retirement living facilities in approximately 180 locations across nine states. Based in Wilsonville, Oregon, Infinity Rehab and its affiliates provide more than 1.2 million patient visits annually. Infinity Rehab is a member of the Avamere Family of Companies.
Drew Hanson, Infinity Rehab, http://www.infinityrehab.com, +1 (971) 224-2831, [email protected]
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