A 15% payment cut for services provided by physical therapist assistants (PTAs) and occupational therapist assistants (OTAs) went into effect on January 1st, 2022. This is in addition to the further planned cuts to overall therapy services that are planned over the next few years. If these cuts remain, our patients, especially those in rural and underserved areas, will have their access to care compromised. 

In order to protect Medicare beneficiaries’ access to care, Representatives Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Jason Smith (R-MO) recently introduced the Stabilizing Medicare Access to Rehabilitation and Therapy (SMART) Act (H.R. 5536).

If passed, this legislation would suspend the therapist assistant cut for this year and protect rural and underserved communities from the reduction. It would also finally allow to practice as their state license permits in regard to assistant supervision. 

Send an email urging your Member of Congress to pass the SMART Act to protect vulnerable Medicare beneficiaries’ access to vital care!

Please Note: You will not be able to email lawmakers who already co-sponsor of the SMART Act.