CMS Releases CY 2022 Medicare Part B Proposed Payment Rule
Key changes have implications for occupational therapy practitioners in FY 2022.
Advocacy Issues
OTA payment advocacy
The Medicare Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) 15% payment differential is set to take effect on January 1, 2022 and effect physical therapist assistants as well. We have been advocating to protect the profession and to preserve access to occupational therapy services in light of this new payment policy. Learn more about our legislative and regulatory advocacy to educate policymakers and minimize the impact of the 15% payment differential for occupational therapy services, including our recent grassroots advocacy campaigns with Congress and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Why OTA payment advocacy matters
These cuts are a threat to occupational therapy assistants, who are a crucial part of the occupational therapy workforce needed to help people regain or maintain function that might otherwise be lost. The policy may leave many seniors—especially those in underserved and rural areas—with less access to critical occupational therapy services.
We have been successful in getting positive changes to how Medicare implements this policy since it was introduced in 2018. We continue to advocate with CMS and Congress to further protect occupational therapy assistants and Medicare beneficiaries with a focus on:
- Delaying the implementation of the payment differential.
- Exempting rural and underserved areas from the differential.
- Reducing OTA supervision requirements under Medicare in private practice to "general" instead of "direct."
Contact your policymakers
Ask Congress to Support the SMART Act and three policies that will protect OTAs
The “Stabilizing Medicare Access to Rehabilitation and Therapy Act” (SMART Act) was introduced by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) in the United States House of Representatives. This legislation would delay and mitigate the impact of a looming 15% cut to Medicare Part B services provided by occupational therapy assistants.
Join us. Write to your members of Congress and ask your Representative to co-sponsor the SMART Act.
Latest news
Legislation to Help Protect Occupational Therapy Assistants From Effects of Pending Medicare Cuts Introduced in the House of Representatives
The cuts are a threat to occupational therapy assistants and may leave many seniors with less access to critical services.
Delay the OTA Payment Differential: Join AOTA to Advocate & Make Your Voice Heard
OT Practice Article
