H.R. 4248 would ensure access to recreational therapy in inpatient rehabilitation facilities, inpatient psychiatric facilities, and skilled nursing facilities under the Medicare Program.
Detailed Summary
Ensuring Medicare Access to Recreational Therapy Act of 2007 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking, or a transmittal amending the Medicare Benefits Policy Manual, or both, specifying that: (1) recreational therapy is a covered service under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act in inpatient rehabilitation facilities, inpatient psychiatric facilities, and skilled nursing facilities (SNFs); (2) recreational therapy is a skilled rehabilitative modality included in the bundle of services as part of the payment rates for such facilities under Medicare's respective prospective payment systems (PPS) for these inpatient settings; and (3) any recreational therapy that is provided to a Medicare beneficiary in such a facility prescribed by a physician as part of the facility's plan of care for the patient must be provided by a qualified recreational therapist.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 11/15/2007: Referred to House committee. Status: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
G
This bill is essential in protecting clients and ensuring that they receive the most appropriate services and that the services they receive are delivered by competent professionals.
DT
This Bill is not necessary because the provision of recreational therapy has been a part of the regulations for years. The provision for recreation therapy has been part of the therapy reimbursement bundle since the system was instituted.
Also, on another note, I have looked at the curriculum for therapeutic recreators from all colleges in my state, and they have one or no courses dealing with the elderly. I have also had several with TR degrees on staff, who were less capable than some of the staff with 2 year educations, who had completed internships in Long Term care, and therefore, had more experience than the CTRS. Being a CTRS does not make them any more qualified to deliver services to the elderly than some other disciplines. Their curriculum is not geared toward the elderly.
Because the provision for Rec Therapy has always been a part of the regulations, I question the motives of the CTRS' introducing this bill.
LL
DT stated that the curriculum is not geared toward the elderly. I will have to agree that is not but neither is the profession. Recreational therapy assists all individual with illness, disease, or disability to ensure his or her recovery from a holistic approach. When individuals go through rehab they are going to remember the person the most who help them get back to doing the things that they enjoyed doing. I encourage you to look at empirical based research that shows recreational therapy interventions just as effective if not more than our sister disciplines.
ME
THIS BILL IS ESSENTIAL IN THE FUTURE OF THE CTRS AND WILL PROVIDE SECURITY AND PROTECTION TO US AS A HEALTH-CARE RELATED CAREER. WE ARE JUST AS VITAL TO THE CONSUMER AS THE OT AND PT DISCIPLINES AND WORKING TOGETHER CAN FURTHER ENSURE THE CONSUMERS' SUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES IN REHABILITATION SETTINGS. SUPPORT THIS BILL!
SJS
This bill is extremely important to the profession of Recreational Therapy as well as to the benefit of all its consumers who are served by the profession. Recreational Therapy serves a wide variety of consituants just as PT and OT and none of the above have speciality degrees in one population or the other. However, they are all essential and work together to better serve their clients. Support this Bill!
STAR
This bill is essential for bringing increased priority to RT and related increased opportunity for consumers to gain the uniquely valuable positive outcomes that RT can and does acheive. This bill will help gain the attention of Providers who have not been motivated (or lack understanding of need) to offer this service that has demonstrated successful client outcomes much more cost efficiently than the therapies they already provide. Please support this bill.
G
DT- Your comment concerns me, because while Recreational Therapy has been included in the "other services" category. Hospitals are often hesitant to include it as a billable service, because other professions are specifically listed. If you list one, list them all... or don't list any.
The motivation behind the bill is to protect consumers. Without it, there's nothing to prevent individuals with poor training to provide 'rt' services. It also ensures that consumers have the option of RT services. It's not to say that RT is the end all/be all for every patient. But it is more effective for some. Thus, they should have the option.
As for your comment about the elderly. Most schools offer core classes. This is not to say that those classes are the ONLY classes a student takes. If gerontology is their interest, then I would hope they would supplement their education with relevant courses. In fact, it's likely that the university adviser would strongly encourage it.