Medicare Physical Therapy Access: Allowing Locum Tenens for Therapists.
This Act allows physical therapists participating in Medicare to use 'locum tenens' arrangements, meaning a substitute therapist can temporarily cover their practice during absences. This change ensures that beneficiaries, particularly the elderly and disabled, can maintain continuous access to necessary physical therapy services without interruption. The substitute therapist's services will remain eligible for Medicare reimbursement, mirroring the rules currently applied to physicians.
Key points
Continuity of Care: Physical therapists can now utilize temporary substitute arrangements (locum tenens) to prevent interruptions in patient therapy when the primary therapist is unavailable.
Medicare Coverage: The change applies to outpatient physical therapy services, ensuring that services provided by the substitute therapist are covered by Medicare reimbursement, similar to physician services.
Benefit for Patients: Reduces the risk of canceled appointments and delays in rehabilitation, directly improving the quality of healthcare for Medicare beneficiaries.
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