Bilirakis Bill To Help Medicare Patients, Physical Therapists

Today, the Energy and Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Health reviewed legislation to help further efforts to strengthen Medicare and protect our nation's seniors.

Members discussed legislation, including Congressman Gus Bilirakis's H.R. 556, the Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act, to improve Medicare for patients. H.R. 556 would add physical therapists to the list of providers allowed to enter into temporary billing arrangements for a Medicare patient in instances of illness, pregnancy, or vacation.

Currently, Medicare allows a wide range of medical providers, including doctors of medicine, osteopathy, and chiropractors the ability to bring in other licensed professionals under their provider number. This allows for substitutes for when a practice is short staffed for a short time period for reasons such as illness, maternity or paternity leave, or vacation. Such instances are referred to as locum tenens arrangements.

Physical therapists currently are excluded from employing locum tenens in their practices, forcing seniors to either find a new physical therapist or not receive treatment during the time their therapist is out.

"My bill is pro-patient and pro-physical therapist," said Congressman Bilirakis. "It provides a targeted fix to a clear problem. I'm grateful the committee continues to work on this important issue. We must take care of our Medicare patients."