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.APTA-South Carolina News
Call to Action!
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is once again proposing payment cuts to Medicare outpatient services. Last year, we faced a 9% cut to physical therapy payments, but thanks to grassroots activism by APTA members, Congress appropriated an additional $3 billion to the Medicare fee schedule that reduced the cut to approximately 3.3%. Without a change in course from CMS or congressional intervention again, the cuts will continue in 2022. CMS is also planning to move ahead with a plan that would reduce payment rates for outpatient therapy services delivered by PTAs and OTAs under Medicare Part B by 15% — the "differential."
How can you help? APTA has created two template letters for members to use to submit comments to CMS — one that covers all the issues included in the proposed 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, and a second that focuses specifically on the PTA payment differential. Members can customize and submit one or both. Comments are due by Sept. 13.
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.HEALTH PROMOTION AND WELLNESS
Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 on life expectancy across populations in the US and other high income countries: Simulations of provisional mortality data
The BMJ
Between 2010 and 2018, the gap in life expectancy between the U.S. and the peer country average increased from 1.88 years to 3.05 years. Between 2018 and 2020, life expectancy in the U.S. decreased by 1.87 years, 8.5 times the average decrease in peer countries, widening the gap to 4.69 years. Life expectancy in the U.S. decreased disproportionately among racial and ethnic minority groups between 2018 and 2020, declining by 3.88, 3.25 and 1.36 years in Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White populations, respectively. In Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black populations, reductions in life expectancy were 18 and 15 times the average in peer countries, respectively.
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.INDUSTRY NEWS
3 ways to stay on top of payment cut, PTA differential advocacy
APTA
By now, it shouldn't be news that the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released a proposed 2022 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that's disappointing for PTs and PTAs. As things stand, significant payment cuts are in the works, as is the rollout of a flawed plan to pay 15% less for services delivered by PTAs.
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The benefits of hands-on physical therapy
Very Well Health
Manual physical therapy refers to a cluster of hands-on therapeutic techniques used by a therapist to treat a wide variety of symptoms and conditions. This style of treatment, which is often performed alongside other rehab techniques like exercise or pain-relieving modalities, can be helpful in addressing numerous different concerns, including pain, stiffness or range of motion limitations.
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What to expect from herniated disc physical therapy
Very Well Health
A spinal disc herniation is a relatively common diagnosis that occurs when the gel-like inner portion of a disc, called the nucleus pulposus, protrudes out through a torn portion of the outer disc layer, called the annulus. This issue can occur in any of the three spinal sections — cervical, thoracic or lumbar — though it is most common in the lower lumbar spine. While discs normally help absorb the stresses placed on the spine, a herniation may make daily life difficult and painful.
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Social robots to make kids' physiotherapy more fun
The Mayor
A new clinical project could soon be underway that will involve experiments with so-called 'social robotics' devices that will have the task of accompanying, mentoring and assisting children with various neurological limitations to gain better mobility. The social robots will have a design that is appealing to children, combining artificial intelligence and gamification, in order to make the rehabilitation processes seem less daunting and more fun to a young mind.
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Best exercises for sciatica
Medical News Today
People with sciatica may find that certain exercises and stretches help bring relief from pain and tightness in the sciatic nerve and the surrounding area. Although sciatica generally resolves in time, these exercises may speed the healing process.
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Benefits of getting a physical therapy massage
Very Well Health
Physical therapy patients often receive massage therapy as part of their treatment plan. PT massage is different from a regular spa massage, which typically provides relief from muscle pain and tension. PT massage is focused on rehabilitating muscle and joint strength, mobility, and function.
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