Alpha Lillstrom Cheng

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020, lawmakers put a pause on the 2% Medicare sequestration reduction until December 31, 2020. As a result of the lobbying from PPS and other stakeholders, Congress delayed reinstating the Medicare sequester through April 1, 2021, as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 which was enacted on December 27, 2020. The Medicare Sequester COVID Moratorium Act (H.R.315) has been introduced this Congress and is seeking to further delay the 2% Medicare sequester for the duration of the public health emergency. There is not yet a Senate companion bill.

Advocacy Opportunity:

Your legislators need to hear directly from you--their constituent--about the stark economic landscape you are experiencing and the impact an additional 2% reduction in your Medicare payment will have on your business.

If you are on social media, tweet or create facebook post tagging your legislators and use #PPSAdvocacy. Template tweet: “Include in COVID package: delay return of 2% Medicare sequestration until the PHE is over so I can continue providing cost effective physical therapy and maintain a vital business in our community. [@Representative/Senators twitter handle] #PPSAdvocacy”

 

EMAIL TEMPLATE:

Subject line: My patients need physical therapy. Delay the reinstatement of the 2% Medicare sequestration cut until the end of the Public Health Emergency so I can stay in business.

Dear Representative ____________,

Despite a year of unrelenting pushback—coupled with the COVID-19 public health emergency—CMS’ implemented its plans for an E&M code payment boost paid for by reducing payment to other providers. Legislation enacted on 12/27/2020 reduced the cut for physical therapy to about -3.6% for CY2021. Unless reinstating the 2% Medicare sequestration cut is delayed, effective April 1, 2021, the Medicare payment for PT will be reduced another 2% when compared to 2020.

My name is _________________ and I am a physical therapist in private practice. I am a member of the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association. My clinic is in __________. I see _____ patients a year, ___ percent of whom are Medicare patients. There are ___ therapists in my practice. We also employ ___ support staff. We have been an important part of our local economy and small business community for ___ years.

Our community-based physical therapy clinic received a PPP loan and provider relief funds which have enabled us to remain a viable small business and keep providing patients with access to safe, cost-effective physical therapy throughout the public health emergency. However, our clinic is still navigating economic challenges.

As you consider what should be included in the next legislative package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please cosponsor H.R.315 and include that language in the package in order to delay the reinstatement of the 2% Medicare sequestration cut until the end of the Public Health Emergency. On behalf of myself and PPS, I make this request so that our physical therapy clinic can keep its doors open—to not only serve our patients but also to provide jobs in our town.

Thank you,

[Name, credentials]

Member, Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association

[Practice Name]

[Practice Address]

[Practice phone number]

 

Thank you. Your efforts can make a difference!