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Rehabilitation therapists working in an inpatient rehabilitation unit or free-standing facility are facing job elimination in 2004 if the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) are able to implement their drastic changes to the "Inpatient Rehabilitation 75% rule."
You haven't heard of this? Well if you rely on ASHA to get the word out on their Web site or in The ASHA Leader, you're looking in the wrong places. For some reason, ASHA has not been publicly vocal about the negative impact this proposal will have on its dues-paying members. I sent an e-mail to ASHA recently asking "where were they" when almost every major trade organization sent a joint letter to the director of CMS concerning this issue. The letter-signed by the American Occupational Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association, Association of Rehabilitation Nurses, American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association, American Therapeutic Recreation Association, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and others-requested that local medical review policies that have been written based on the "75% rule" proposed changes be withdrawn until CMS makes the final revisions. If you are employed in a rehab unit and are interested in additional information concerning the "75% rule" proposal, go to www.amrpa.org or www.aha.org. CMS accepted public comment until Nov. 3 on the proposal. ASHA…I'm still waiting for a response concerning your lack of attention to this critical matter.
Dave Thompson
Salem, VA
Editor's Note: ASHA submitted comments to CMS on the 75% rule in July 2003, and also commented on proposed revisions in September. Read the story on the 75% rule and ASHA's advocacy.
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