Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

Published on Fri Jul 09, 2010 PDF

Physician office-based PTs may face stress, if a new MedPAC recommendation comes to fruition.

MedPAC recently released a report recommending that Congress exclude physical therapy services (among other therapeutic services) from the Stark law exception that allows physicians to self refer patients for ancillary services in which they have a financial relationship, according to a press release from the American Physical Therapy Association. The driving argument to do so is to get a handle on Medicare spending. According to MedPAC's report, physicians with a financial interest in physical therapy tend to initiate therapy more frequently than other physicians as well as provide more visits per patient than non-physician-owned clinics.

MedPAC's opinion is a recommendation only -- nothing is firm at this point. Keep an eye on the Insider for more on this story as it develops.