Legislative information

Legislative Update

Mariann Moran, MBA, OTR, CHT 

Every OT should be active legislatively with these two easy steps.                

1)       Awareness: Who represents you on a state or national level?

 State legislators that represent you were re-elected in November 2007 and took office in January 2008.  Know who they are and learn their names.   Get to know who represents you on a national level and remember their names.  You never know when you may run in to one of them at your kid’s basketball game or a neighborhood get together.   If you meet them; tell them what you do and offer to help them understand any legislation related to therapy, rehab, or schools.  They will be more likely to call you than someone they do not know.  Do not worry if it is not your area of expertise, NJOTA will be here to help you.

 To find out who they are, go to:

 http://www.congress.org/congressorg/state/main/?state=NJ&lvl=L&view=myofficials 

2)        Action: Vote!

Know the issues that affect you and the profession and vote for your candidate in November.  Get your family and friends to vote. 

Legislative Update

The legislative committee monitors legislation that affects of OTs and their ability to practice on both a state and national level. 

 State Issues

The new legislative term started January of 2008 and will run through December of 2009.  All bills that were under consideration before this date are now dead and will need to be reintroduced. 

The following new bills are being monitored as they may affect OT. 

Senate bill S227- The practice of chiropractic includes adjustment of articulations of the spinal column and other joints

 Senate bill S1015- Requires health insurers to cover costs of early intervention 

Senate bill S1017- Provides for establishment of county offices of disabilities services 

Senate bill S1035- Requires health care professionals to bill Medicare beneficiaries within six months of providing the service. 

Assembly bill A1821- Reforms the review, processing, and payment of certain private passenger automobile PIP claims. 

Assembly bill A1907- Adds enforcement provisions to the “Health Care Claims Act” 

Assembly bill A1962- Prohibits participating providers under managed care plans from charging certain fees.   

Assembly billA1974- Requires reporting and review of insurance carriers’ healthcare claims processing and payment histories. 

Assembly bill A2029- Permits revised methods of treatment for chiropractors and establishes continuing education.  

To learn more or to read a bill go to http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ , click on legislative and type in bill number under bill search 

Nationally AOTA does an excellent job of keeping us informed about the national issues.  Go to www.AOTA.org to find what is going on and for an easy link to write to our national representatives. 

AOTA has been involved with monitoring and intervening on our behalf in the following areas: 

·         Medicare cap which was extended until June, 2008

·         Medicare Fee schedule which was to be decrease but it was rescinded until June 2008

·         Medicare DMEPOS Suppliers Accreditation

·         Medicare removed certification requirement to do power wheelchair evaluations

·         Medicare and the Surety Bond Requirement

·         Medicare and PQRI program which is a pay for performance program

·         Rules Governing Provision of Medicare Part A Inpatient Therapeutic Services

·         Reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)

·         Opposes 75% Rule Implementation for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities and Medicare

Questions or for more information email Mariann Moran at accelhand1@aol.com