The APTA Nebraska podcast discusses recent graduates, state advocacy, and prosthetics initiatives while providing important timeline updates for members and highlighting opportunities for engagement.

• Congratulations to 2025 PT and PTA graduates, with reminders about patience during the four-week licensure process
• Announcement of an All-District meeting featuring House of Delegates information and legislative session updates
• Interview with Vince Lau about "So Every Body Can Move" initiative seeking insurance coverage for activity-specific prosthetic devices
• Details on LB410 (Insurance Fairness Act) with fiscal impact of only 1-12¢ per member monthly but potential savings of $68 million
• Upcoming events including Running Blade Clinic (June 21st) and Blade 5K (July 12th) at College of St. Mary
• Updates on Medicare rules for 2026 with limited clarity on Medicare Advantage plans
• Early bird deadlines for specialist certifications: July 1st for cardiovascular, pulmonary, electrophysiology, oncology, women's health, wound management; July 31st for geriatric, neurologic, orthopedic, pediatric, sports
• APTA member deals including 25% off car rentals and 65% off UPS shipping

Nebraska APTA House of Delegates Town Hall Meeting Link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/SWVZNBwJ-hCPT_L8i2NQpb0oVp7npqp1eveCKsvsGujO017oo5DBaaubb_cUtBWh.0Bm1ln2rwpxzf-JM?startTime=1747699308000

Passcode:  8J%&mc95

Vince Lau and Limb Lab Information:

• Contact
  • [email protected]
• Information Links
  • https://soeverybodycanmove.org/ [soeverybodycanmove.org]
  • Become an advocate: https://p2a.co/ASKIfhc [p2a.co]
  • LB410: https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=59036 [nebraskalegislature.gov]
  • Levitate Clinic:

Three early-career physical therapists share their journeys navigating the first years of practice, discussing both the rewards and challenges they've encountered along the way. We explore how APTA Nebraska's Early Professional Special Interest Group (EPSIG) provides mentorship and community support for PTs and PTAs in their crucial first five years.

• Kirsten, Joel, and Cole reveal what attracted them to physical therapy, highlighting the biopsychosocial aspects of the profession
• Early-career therapists experience excitement seeing patients improve while also feeling challenged by the knowledge gap between school and practice
• Professional development strategies include seeking mentorship, utilizing clinical practice guidelines, and consuming targeted educational content via podcasts and social media
• EPSIG connects early-career professionals with experienced mentors beyond their workplace to provide fresh perspectives
• The group hosts networking events, educational opportunities, and creates community among practitioners facing similar challenges
• Early-career professionals bring valuable fresh perspectives while still developing their clinical expertise
• EPSIG welcomes any PT or PTA in their first five years of practice, with mentorship opportunities for any APTA member beyond five years of experience

If you're interested in connecting with EPSIG, visit the APTA Nebraska website or email the EPSIG team to join their mailing list for upcoming events and mentorship opportunities.

NE APTA EPSIG page:

https://aptanebraska.org/Early_Professional_SIG [aptanebraska.org]

 Membership Form: 

https://forms.gle/qYqX7YyaLMsFyKSi8 [forms.gle]

 Mentor Form:

https://forms.gle/zvjoQbcpd6mtm8c48 [forms.gle]

Email: 

 [email protected] 

APTA Nebraska's Student Special Interest Group (NSSIG) executive board shares their journeys to leadership and why professional engagement matters for PT students and new graduates.

• Student leaders from NSSIG discuss their paths to executive board positions
• Service backgrounds range from extensive leadership experience to first-time involvement
• Board members emphasize that professional service creates valuable networking opportunities across PT/PTA programs
• NSSIG organizes the annual Conclave and biennial National Advocacy Dinner
• Students plan to maintain APTA membership after graduation for advocacy opportunities, professional development, and resources
• Membership benefits like discounts on shoes, hotels and professional resources provide additional value
• Board members encourage hesitant students to get involved, emphasizing that NSSIG can adapt to students' interests and time limitations
• Professional engagement helps students prepare for advocacy throughout their careers

Reach out to the NSSIG board about upcoming events or to provide feedback on what you'd like to see from your student organization!

APTA Nebraska launches its new podcast to connect physical therapists across the state with updates on advocacy, practice challenges, and member benefits. Brad Dexter and APTA Nebraska President Nick Weber discuss critical issues affecting physical therapists and share resources to help members stay informed and engaged.

• Medicare's 2.8% fee schedule reduction continues despite advocacy efforts, with Congress failing to address it in the recent continuing resolution
• TRICARE providers face significant challenges with obtaining referrals and payments since TriWest became the new contractor
• CMS changed requirements for caregiver training codes (97550/97551), now requiring the full time to be furnished before billing
• Two priority bills in the Nebraska legislature: LB77 for prior authorization transparency and LB527 for increased Medicaid reimbursement
• PT demand projected to exceed supply for the next 12 years according to recent PTJ research
• The Academy of Neurological PT will hold their annual conference in Omaha this October
• APTA members can access discounts on travel, entertainment, and even laundry services through membership benefits

Stay connected with APTA Nebraska for more conversations that elevate our profession and improve the lives of Nebraskans. Subscribe, share, and join the discussion as we drive the future of physical therapy forward together.

Links:

APTA Practice Advisory: CPT Codes for Caregiver Training Without the Patient Present: https://www.apta.org/your-practice/payment/medicare-payment/cpt-codes-caregiver-training-without-patient-present-practice-advisory?utm_source=Informz&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=250319-APTA-Weekly&_zs=pS2ll1&_zl=SX08A

TRICARE WEST REGION REFERRAL WAIVER APPROVAL LETTER: https://tricare.triwest.com/globalassets/tricare/provider/tricare-west-region-referral-waiver-approval-letter.pdf 

Poplin Laundry Services: https://www.poplin.co  

Use promo code APTA25