The American Physical Therapy Association supports the SAFE Act (H.R. 1171/S. 2612), the Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly Act. This bipartisan bill would improve access to falls screening and prevention under Medicare, helping reduce injuries and opioid use among older adults.
More than 1 in 4 older Americans fall each year, leading to 3 million ER visits, 1 million hospitalizations, and $50 billion in annual costs, most of which is paid by Medicare and Medicaid.
The SAFE Act strengthens two key Medicare programs, the Initial Preventive Physical Exam (“Welcome to Medicare”) and the Annual Wellness Visit, by adding referral to physical therapy for beneficiaries who’ve experienced a fall in the past year.
Contact your members of Congress today and urge them to cosponsor the SAFE Act (H.R. 1171/S. 2612) to help prevent falls and reduce opioid use among older Americans.