2016 State Policy & Payment Forum Sets Stage for 2017 Advocacy

By Gail Zitterkopf, PT, DPT, CLT, CKTP

The 2016 State Policy & Payment Forum was held September 17-18, 2016, at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, PA. The State Policy & Payment Forum increases attendees’ knowledge of state legislative issues that impact physical therapy practice and payment, as well as improve individual advocacy at the state level. Such legislation can become a precursor for federal changes and are closely monitored and worked on by APTA and SOWH Federal Affairs Subcommittee members.

The forum provided state legislation updates on the following critical issues:

• Louisiana – Direct Access
• Kansas – Dry Needling
• Wisconsin – Ordering X-rays
• Florida – PTA Accreditation
• Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Oregon – Physical Therapy Licensure Compact
• New Mexico – Youth Concussions
• Florida – Direct Access and Term/Title Protection
• Pennsylvania – Fair Copays.

National payment policy updates included the use of tiered evaluation, Medicaid, infringement challenges, effective legislative testifying, reevaluation codes, and state licensure issues.

Want to learn more on the topics that impact your daily practice? Contact Gail Zitterkopft at federal@womenshealthapta.org with questions or view forum highlights on the members-only section of the APTA website at “StateForum/2016/Highlights.” You might also consider attending the next State Policy & Payment Forum. For more information, visit the APTA State Policy & Payment Forum website: http://www.apta.org/StateForum..

AUTHOR: Gail Zitterkopt, PT, DPT, CLT, CKTP, chairs the SOWH Federal Affairs Subcommittee. She will be attending the 2017 Combined Sections Meeting in San Antonio, Texas, February 15-18 and would be delighted to answer questions. Questions also may be addressed to Director of Practice Jennifer Hungate at the SOWH Business Meeting February 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand Hyatt San Antonio.

Jennifer Hungate, Kelly Huestis, and Gail Zitterkopf (left to right) represented SOWH at the 2016 State Policy & Payment Forum.