Posted on February 26, 2015 by Chapter Staff
Originally Published in HAPTA’s e-Newsletter, What’s HAPTAnin’ – February 2015

APTA Vision to Transform Society Highlighted at Combined Section Meeting Update
February 3-7, 2015 – Indianapolis, Indiana

CSM 2015 in Indianapolis emphasized the new APTA vision of “transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human condition.” This lofty endeavor of making lasting changes in healthcare and society can only occur with transformations at many levels. I will summarizeby explaining a few of the most interesting federal, state, APTA, HI Chapter, and individual new ways of doing things.

Federal processes on highly efficient timelines include:

-The Interstate Licensure Compact…The Federation of State Boards of PT is getting close to launching a program that would allow PTs access to patient care in “remote states” via privilege to practice upon interstate agreements. This maintains licensing by states, but avoids limits of borders, multiple licenses, and allows for telehealth, travel teams with PTs, PT residencies, consulting out of state, speedy responses for disasters and staffing remote areas. This proven system would be similar to a Drivers License.

– Alternative Payment Systems, Value-Based Reimbursement…Four new PT Evaluation codes will replace our eval and re-eval, as soon as January 1, 2016. This will better reflect the higher levels of intensity that highly-skilled PTs and more involved clients utilize. A single billing code with a matrix for intervention intensity and patient complexity will replace all of our current billing codes and take PT from fee for each service to value based reimbursement. The treatment code is more likely for January 1, 2017.

– The PT Outcomes Registry…APTA is currently doing a 2015 trial, and plans 2016 public use, of a national registry of PT outcomes to identify best practices. State issues all continue to move forward. Most interesting to HI, were:

– Dry Needling…APTA has defined and placed dry needling within the scope of PTs in the new Guide to Physical Therapist Practice. Some states have had limited success as court decisions unfolded. HI is watching closely and gaining momentum and support for new legislature here at the right time. The conversation includes patients drawing blood sugar fingersticks, pharmacists giving flu shots, potential for NCV Studies and EMGs.

– Payment and Use of Direct Access…In 2015, APTA will survey 50 states on the use and reimbursement for Direct Access PT. The last direct access survey was in 2009, for 9 states. Many stories of success need to be compiled into data for us to prove the safety, efficiency and cost effectiveness associated with direct access.

– Term Protection of “physiotherapy” from other disciplines…There is a bill in the current HI legislative session, HB997, that announces Chiropractors as providing “Physiotherapy,” and we must be ready with expert testimony to protect our services and distinguish ourselves. APTA gave a big update by announcing that the Foundation for PT raised over 3 million since CMS last year, and during CSM 2015, awarded $2.5M to Brown University in RI, to build a Center for Excellence for PT. This Center of Health Services Training and Research (CoHSTAR) will provide our profession the research needed to support our rapidly advancing professional pursuits. HAPTA helped by donating $500/yr for 5 yrs.

Furthermore HAPTA is changing. We have a new website, increased structure and are planning new models of engagement and continuing education. Spring Conference is May 1-3, 2015 in Kokee, Kauai. This is an all-inclusive retreat with a second track for our families and guests to enjoy. Please go to www.hapta.org for more info, and consider your support by attending. Other ways you can help are to sign into a committee, or pick up a “MicroMarch” project. Stay tuned for upcoming micro project lists, decide where you can fit in, then email us to participate.

Lastly, I believe this puts each of us in line for some self-transforming also. Tuning in and supporting HAPTA with our membership will allow APTA to reach stronger, faster successes, and keep HAPTA vibrant and enhancing. We must learn about these new advances and terms, what each represents, and how it all fits together to enable physical therapy to transform society into healthier populations. HI PTs and PTAs will use evidence to inform our patients, medical teams, bosses, CEOs, insurance companies and legislators. We’ll need agility to steward our profession into models of care that are only limited by our imagination. Special thanks are due to each of you that support HAPTA, APTA, and our profession, in so many ways. You really get out of it what you put in. I get all passionate about such an awesome honor, and I hope you do too.

GP

Gregg Pacilio
HAPTA President