July/August, 2018 Volume L, NO. 22
Empire State Physical
Therapy
The O fficia l N e ws l et t e r o f t h e Ne w York Phy si cal The rapy A ssoci at io n , In c.
IN THIS ISSUE
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NYPTA Advocacy Focuses on Workers' Comp Rate Increases Cover Story (page 1, 3)
"Learning the Ropes" President’s Letter (page 2, 4)
2018 Spring Board of Directors Report (page 7)
Member Spotlight: Melanie A. Gillar, PT, DPT, MA (page 7-8)
Nominating Committee Article (page 9)
Nomination Forms (page 10-11)
Member Spotlight: Jim Smith, PT, DPT, MA (page 13-14)
Mini Conferences Overview
NYPTA Advocacy Focuses on Workers' Comp Rate Increases By The NYPTA Workers' Comp Workgroup
NYPTA leadership has been acutely focused on an extremely rare opportunity to increase payment for PT services under the workers’ compensation system. The implications for this issue extend far beyond workers’ comp, however, since many other insurers base their rates on the workers’ comp fee schedule. In June, the state Worker’s Compensation Board (WCB) proposed changes to its fee schedule for physical therapy services. The proposal kicked off a review period that expires on August 5th. In response, NYPTA submitted a formal comment letter to the WCB. We expect a final fee schedule to be issued in October. The Board’s proposed fee schedule is welcomed as it is the first comp rate increase in more than 22 years. However, the proposal maintains a cap of 8 Relative Value Units (RVUs) for follow up visits, which NYPTA opposes.
(page 19)
Therefore, our advocacy goals have been two-fold: • Support the proposed rate increases, which will not only increase payment under the workers’ comp system, but will also positively influence rates set by other insurers and payers. continued on page 3 www.nypta.org
July/August, 2018 • Empire State Physical Therapy 1