Eli's Rehab Report

News Briefs:

Legislation: New Bill Addresses PT-Oral Health Specialist Connection

Although the legislation is only in its beginning stages, a new bill hit the House of Representatives on March 11 that attempts to open the referral channels for physical therapists.

The Medicare Oral Health Rehabilitative Enhancement Act (HR 5590) would allow dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons to certify physical therapy plans of care for Medicare beneficiaries, according to the American Physical Therapy Association's PT Bulletin Online. "Currently, Medicare restricts dentists and oral and maxillofacial surgeons from referring to PTs, even though 38 states explicitly authorize dentists to do so," the Bulletin says.

Bill cosponsors are Reps. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ) and Eric Cantor (R-VA).

To view more details of the bill, go to http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h5590ih.txt.pdf.

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