This message was sent to ##Email##. To advertise in this publication please click here

September 10, 2020

SCAPTA NEWS

Federal Affairs Update - August 2020 APTA staff has recorded a 35-minute presentation about the proposed 2021 CMS Physician Fee Schedule Rule that includes a review of the rule; APTA’s legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts to fight the 9% cut, including press and social media; and ways that you and others can get involved, including our grassroots efforts. Please share this presentation with others who you think may be interested in learning more about the rule, current APTA efforts, and opportunities for both members and nonmembers to advocate against a pay cut that will impact the profession at a time when access to quality patient care is critical. READ MORE

CMS Comments Needed! We’re at a critical crossroads. The profession needs your voice and we need it now. It is very important that everyone submit comments to CMS in response to the 2021 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule, which includes the proposal to cut payment to physical therapy by an estimated 9%. To help promote the submission of comments, APTA has prepared a customizable template letter specifically for APTA Sections and Academies to use to submit comments to CMS. Once the comment letter is finalized and you’re ready to submit: Click here: Submit Comments. Copy and paste your first paragraph into the comment box. Upload your final letter as an attachment. Provide answers to the information being asked (Name, etc.). And then SUBMIT. Please also spread the word to members that we have available template letters for all PTs, PTAs, and students and patients. They can submit their letter to CMS here. Please take a few minutes to submit comments on behalf of your Section/Academy and encourage your members, colleagues, patients, friends, and family to do the same. There is just a little over a month until the deadline and every comment counts! Thank you for your advocacy. Questions? Reach out at advocacy@apta.org. SUBMIT COMMENTS NOW

APTA South Carolina Fall Webinar Series - Are you in need of CEU's? If you are looking for continuing education credits, APTA South Carolina is here for you! Click here to see Webinar Schedule & pricing! READ MORE

SPONSORED CONTENT Promoted by Tidelands • Be a therapist at the beach • Care for patients at the Tidelands region’s only inpatient rehabilitation hospital • A network of outpatient rehabilitation care across the Tidelands region • Learn more about a career at Tidelands Health • Join the Tidelands Health care team

Call for Proposals for 2021 APTA-SC Annual Conference The 2021 APTA-SC Annual Conference will be March 26-27 at Anderson University’s School of Physical Therapy located at the University Center of Greenville. Proposals are being accepted now until October 15, 2020. SUBMIT

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Dose-response relationship between physical activity and mortality in adults with noncommunicable diseases International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity This study aims to investigate the relationship between post-diagnosis physical activity and mortality in patients with selected noncommunicable diseases, including breast cancer, lung cancer, type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), osteoarthritis, low back pain and major depressive disorder. READ MORE

Effects of weight loss during a very low carbohydrate diet on specific adipose tissue depots and insulin sensitivity in older adults with obesity Nutrition & Metabolism Insulin resistance and accumulation of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) place aging adults with obesity at high risk of cardio-metabolic disease. A very low carbohydrate diet (VLCD) may be a means of promoting fat loss from the visceral cavity and skeletal muscle, without compromising lean mass, and improve insulin sensitivity in aging adults with obesity. READ MORE

INDUSTRY NEWS

Breaking news: CMS reinstates previous changes to NCCI Edits WebPT It appears 2020 has a few more tricks up its sleeve for physical therapists and occupational therapists. According to an announcement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the agency has decided to reinstate changes to National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edit pairs that are frequently used by rehab therapists. The changes—originally implemented in January and catching many rehab therapy providers off guard—were later removed, signifying to many that they were implemented in error. READ MORE

8 ways to participate in National Physical Therapy Month this October APTA The key role physical activity plays in just about every facet of health is well-known —yet an estimated 80% of U.S. adults and adolescents don't get enough. For this year's National Physical Therapy Month in October, we're highlighting the transformative role PTs and PTAs can play in making sufficient physical activity the rule, not the exception. READ MORE

Clinical podcast: Running a clinic in a pandemic Evidence in Motion Join John Childs as he talks with Justin Burke and Matt Hernandez from Texas Physical Therapy Specialists to discuss how their clinics have evolved throughout the health pandemic. From opening a brand new clinic right before the shutdown to running a busy clinic with 7 providers, you can see the journey of how two clinics from opposite ends of the spectrum were able to step back and manage their clinics, compassionately and decisively. READ MORE

How to create a successful orthopedic telehealth program for COVID-19 and beyond Impact Magazine A few years ago, we demonstrated that there are several benefits to utilizing telemedicine such as increased patient satisfaction, shorter wait times, and decreased cost for the patient and orthopedic department. Now more than ever, is the time to embrace the idea of telemedicine and digital health technology as our ability to evaluate and interact with our patients in-person has been significantly limited during the COVID-19 crisis. READ MORE

Embedded PTs: Changing the face of physical therapy APTA Retired Lt. Col. Drew Contreras, PT, DPT, says one reason for his successful career is that he does his best to treat every patient the same. That skill especially helped him not to be starstruck when he served from 2010 to 2017 at the White House as the first embedded PT in its medical unit. READ MORE

Operational considerations for physical therapy during COVID-19: A rapid review Physical Therapy Journal Physical therapists play an important role in responding to pandemic and physical disaster situations. Existing literature can provide guidance to health care leadership teams to appropriately and safely leverage physical therapy resources and skill sets during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to provide a review of the pandemic and physical disaster management literature to summarize physical therapy–specific operational considerations to assist hospital-based leadership teams in planning and response efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE

MULTIBRIEFS EXCLUSIVE Podcast: Finding fulfillment and a fully booked schedule in a cash-based practice By Jarod Carter During PT school, Valerie Schwalbe discovered she had a passion for pelvic physical therapy. Right after graduation, she started a pelvic health program in an outpatient orthopedic clinic. Over time, she realized her dream of a standalone pelvic health clinic where patients could be completely comfortable wasn't really possible within the insurance-based business model. Two years ago, she finally opened her own private-pay pelvic health practice. Despite all the craziness of 2020, Schwalbe's practice continues to grow. READ MORE

4 tips for managing staff and patients who won’t comply with mask mandates WebPT At this point, most of us have witnessed someone refusing to comply with a mask requirement—whether that’s in a video, a social media post, or good ol’ real life. Unfortunately, it’s become a controversial issue, but the numbers indicate that widespread—and proper—mask use reduces the spread of viruses, including COVID-19. Furthermore, whether or not you personally feel masks are effective or that people should have to wear them, taking recommended precautions significantly minimizes the risk that a patient—or any other individual—will bring a claim against your practice for exposing them to the novel coronavirus. READ MORE

SCAPTA News   Connect with SCAPTA Dennis Hall, Director of Publishing, 469-420-2656 | Download media kit Mashaal Ryan, Content Editor, 469-420-2633 | Contribute news South Carolina Physical Therapy Association 1111 North Fairfax Street | Alexandria, VA 22314 800-765-7848 ext. 7122 | Contact Us | www.scapta.org Click here to unsubscribe. Learn how to add us to your safe sender list so our emails get to your inbox. ADVERTISE SUBSCRIBE PAST ISSUES 7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX, 75063