People with Parkinson’s disease: We Need Your Voice!
Medicare is cutting what it pays to Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech-Language Pathologists. Beginning January 1, 2021, there will be up to a 9% reduction in what Medicare pays to therapists under the Part B benefits, which covers outpatient therapy services.
How will this impact people with Parkinson’s Disease? As therapy providers scramble to remain solvent, there may be a reduction in therapy services or a complete loss of providers in certain areas. Access to much-needed speech, physical and occupational therapies for people with PD and other movement disorders (including LSVT BIG® and LSVT LOUD®) may be negatively impacted.
There has been much input to the government from our professional therapy associations and many other organizations. We want to be able to continue to provide the level of care everyone needs and deserves. But we need you to tell Congress to stop these cuts too.
Your Input Matters MOST!
Please contact your federal representatives now! Tell them to stop the changes to the 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, specifically the cuts to therapists! Tell them why maintaining the highest level of care is important to you. Your input as Medicare beneficiaries and/or friends and family will hopefully serve to enlighten them on the negative impact these cuts may have on your health and well-being.
To learn more, visit our Professional Therapy Associations’ web sites. There are links that you can use to directly contact your legislators. It is simple and quick to do.
American Physical Therapy Association Patient Action Center
American Occupational Association Letter Writing Page
American Speech-Hearing-Language Association Take Action Page