Bill Summary
This is a bill that aims to add physical therapists to the list of providers who are allowed to use locum tenens arrangements under Medicare. This means that physical therapists would be able to hire substitute therapists to provide services on their behalf in case of illness, vacation, or other reasons. The bill is called the "Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act of 2019" and it would amend section 1842(b)(6) of the Social Security Act. The amendment would take effect after the date of the bill's enactment.
Possible Impacts
1. This legislation could potentially increase access to physical therapy services for Medicare beneficiaries, who may have been limited in their options before due to a shortage of providers. This could result in improved health outcomes and quality of life for individuals in need of physical therapy.
2. The amendment made by this legislation could also potentially create new job opportunities for physical therapists, as they will now be allowed to utilize locum tenens arrangements under Medicare. This could benefit individuals who are trained and qualified in this field, by providing them with more employment options.
3. On the other hand, this legislation could potentially lead to increased competition among physical therapists, as more providers are now allowed to offer their services under Medicare. This could potentially affect the income and job security of physical therapists who were previously the only ones allowed to provide these services.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5453 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5453
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to add physical
therapists to the list of providers allowed to utilize locum tenens
arrangements under Medicare.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 17, 2019
Mr. Lujan (for himself and Mr. Bilirakis) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and
in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to add physical
therapists to the list of providers allowed to utilize locum tenens
arrangements under Medicare.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Prevent Interruptions in Physical
Therapy Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. ALLOWING PHYSICAL THERAPISTS TO UTILIZE LOCUM TENENS
ARRANGEMENTS UNDER MEDICARE.
(a) In General.--The first sentence of section 1842(b)(6) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(6)) is amended by striking ``,
and (J)'' and all that follows through ``physicians' services furnished
by physicians.'' and inserting ``, and (J) in the case of outpatient
physical therapy services furnished by physical therapists,
subparagraph (D) of this sentence shall apply to such services and
therapists in the same manner as such subparagraph applies to
physicians' services furnished by physicians.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to items and services furnished after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
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