Spring 2024 Amplify OT and Healthcare Advocacy Updates

2023 was a big year for passing healthcare legislation. A lot of what came through Congress in 2023 is starting to be implemented early in 2024, impacting OT in a big way. That’s why this week on The Amplify OT Podcast, I am talking about OT advocacy updates for spring 2024. 

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In this episode, I cover:

• With the passing of the 2022 Omnibus Bill, Congress established a new Medicare mental health benefit known as the intensive outpatient program (IOP). 
• With the passing of the Lymphedema Treatment Act in 2022, Medicare Part B will now cover standard and custom-fitted lymphedema compression treatment items for each affected body part for patients with lymphedema.
• CMS rolled out new Caregiver Training codes that can be used as of January 1, 2024. This is the first time OT practitioners can be reimbursed for services that do not directly involve a service provided directly to the client. 
• In a rare turn of events, CMS is increasing Medicare Part A payments to home health agencies by 0.8% in 2024, equating to $140 million.
• Home health will see some changes to their quality reporting program and value-based purchasing in addition to the payment increase.
• OT services paid for under Medicare Part B will face a 3.37% decrease compared to 2023. 
• For 2024, the updated KX Modifier therapy threshold is $2,330 for OT and $2,330 for physical and speech therapy services combined.
• General supervision of OTAs in private practice was unexpectedly extended until the end of Calendar Year 2024.
• Aetna is delaying the implementation of the OTA payment differential from December 2023 to March 2024.
• The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 confirmed telehealth coverage in hospital-based outpatient clinics for therapy under the Medicare Physician Fee schedule through December 31, 2024.

For more information and resources, check out the full blog post related to this episode: https://amplifyot.com/2024-policy-and-advocacy-updates-for-occupational-therapy/ 

2024 is a big year. Not only will we be voting for a new president, but we’ll also be voting on ⅓ of the Senate and all of the House of Representatives. To stay up to date and support advocacy efforts, become an AOTA and Amplify OT member. 

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LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

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