Newsletter
On-line
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Newsletter | |
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Colorado's auto insurance changed from No-Fault to a Fault-Based, Tort System as of July 1, 2003. Refer to the last issue of Newsletter On-line to find out what role the APTA/Colorado Chapter played in the process. The Colorado General Assembly worked for five months to craft
legislation to reform Colorado’s 30-year old no-fault auto insurance
system in an attempt to reduce costs to the consumer. Three bills and
hundreds of amendments later, the final proposal was defeated in the
waning days of the session because it did not meet the needs of various
interested parties including health care providers, trial attorneys and
consumers. No-fault insurance will be phased out after July 1, 2003 as
drivers renew their policies. In the meantime, House Bill 1188, “Compulsory Insurance Coverage for Motor Vehicles,” passed and was signed by the Governor. The new law calls for a tort system, whereby the person who causes the accident pays for medical expenses and auto damage. In cases where fault is disputed, or the at-fault driver has no insurance, the parties will go to court.
The APTA/Colorado Chapter presented a Lunch & Learn Audio-Conference on Wednesday, June 11th entitled, "Auto Insurance Has Changed from No-Fault to Fault-Based, Tort System." More than 100 PT practitioners from 39 PT clinics participated in this program to find out how to bill and how to get paid under this new system. If you missed this program, you can purchase an audio-cassette tape and find links to other resources at http://www.assnoffice.com/apta/auto_reform.htm
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Notice to Union Members Insured through Self-Funded Health Insurance Programs
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Notice to
Union Members Insured through Self-Funded Health Insurance Programs
Regarding the Transition to Tort Automobile Insurance
The Colorado Division of Insurance has been notified that many, if not all, self-funded health insurance programs offered to union members will not cover medical expenses due to injury in an automobile accident. These self-funded plans are subject to federal ERISA laws, and are not subject to either state insurance laws or to the jurisdiction of the Division of Insurance or any other state agency. Union members who receive medical benefits through their union should contact their health benefit manager to determine if they have coverage for injuries sustained in automobile accidents. If not, members should purchase medical payments coverage through their automobile insurance company. Medical payments coverage pays for medical expenses of an at-fault driver and passengers in his or her vehicle. If the driver is not at fault, his or her medical expenses would be payable by the bodily injury insurance of the at-fault insured driver, or from their own uninsured motorist coverage if the at-fault driver is uninsured. As always, the Colorado Division of Insurance recommends that all motorists speak with their automobile insurance agent to determine the appropriate level of coverage for their individual needs.
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House of
Delegates 2003 by Greg
McCall, PT
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This year’s house was quite
interesting, taking place in Washington in concert with the rally on the
hill. Fifty-one RCs were brought forth. Forty-five were ultimately heard.
Of these, 26 passed, 3 failed, 11 were withdrawn, 4 postponed indefinitely
and one was referred to the board of directors. The most notable of those
that passed are as follows:
RC-0-03: A proclamation for the "Medicare Beneficiary Access to Physical Therapy Act Day on Capitol Hill" RC-01-03: Bylaws amendment- bylaws changes will now only be addressed every 5 years instead of every two (except dues changes or if a majority of delegates vote to hear the issue) to expedite the business of the house. RC-12-03: Change in wording in "position on access to, admission to and patients rights within physical therapy" to read: "…knowledge of any substantial risks of the recommended examination and intervention." This change was made, as "informed consent" is inappropriate under the law in some states. RC-14-03: Position (from a policy) on regulatory designation: (in order)
RC-15-03: Term protection of physical therapy and physical therapist changed from position to policy. RC-17-03: APTA supports legislation and rulings for PT to be a mandated service under Medicaid. RC-18B-03: New policy--attainment of a post-baccalaureate degree is the minimum professional educational qualification for those who graduate in 2003 and thereafter. RC-25-03: New policy--PTA education is that which results in the awarding of an associate degree. RC-30-03: New position--APTA opposes PT services ownership by physicians and supports legislation to that end (unanimous vote). RC-32-03: New position--professionalism and mentoring: professionals should act accordingly including membership in the APTA. Elections: were held for president, vice president, three directors and nominating committee. Results as follows: Total of 403 eligible votes and 403 ballots cast. President: Ben Massey 397 votes Vice president: Janet Bezner 318 votes; Suzanne Brown 84 votes Director: Joanell Bohmert 284 votes; Karl Gibson 207 votes; Susan Griffin 184 votes; Janet Peterson 198 votes; Richard Ritter 119 votes; John Wallace 204 votes Nominating committee: David Lake: 101 votes; Barbara Melzer 300 votes Since one director’s position was left vacant with the election of Janet Bezner to vice president, a run-off election was held between all the un-elected candidates with the following results:
Rally on the
Hill |
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Colorado Chapter Outstanding PT
for 2003
Bob Doctor Service Awards 2003
2003
Academic and Clinical Excellence Award 2003 Pauline
Cerasoli Academic and Clinical Excellence Award |
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Meet Your Newly Elected
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President-Elect Audrey Waldron, PT is known for her sincerity, ability to build consensus and her non-judgmental style. She has guts and commitment and our Chapter is in excellent hands under her leadership. Vice-President Secretary Director at
Large Nominating
Committee Member Delegate at
Large RBNA
Representative Thanks to all these dedicated people who volunteer their time and energy to ensure our profession moves forward. |
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Mark your calendars and plan to participate in these upcoming APTA
events! Thursday, August 28,
2003 September 7, 2003
September 25 & 26,
2003
October 2003
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Therapy Cap Enforcement Delayed
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The Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) agreed to further delay
implementation of the $1,590 cap on Medicare rehabilitation services until
September 1, 2003. The agency entered into an agreement with three
organizations representing Medicare beneficiaries who filed suit in US
District Court in Washington, DC, to seek a temporary restraining order
preventing the enforcement of the therapy cap. In agreeing to the 60-day
delay, CMS committed to begin notifying Medicare beneficiaries through
Medicare Summary Notices and the CMS Web site that the therapy caps will
be enforced beginning September 1. CMS will continue to negotiate with the
plaintiffs on other counts in the lawsuit on administration and billing
issues.
The delay comes less than a week after APTA President Ben F Massey, Jr, PT, MA, wrote to CMS Administrator Thomas A Scully. CMS is drafting a policy statement that will be posted on its web site as soon as possible. APTA also will provide updates in the $1,590 Medicare Therapy Cap Resource Center on its web site, www.apta.org. |
| Colorado Physical Therapists March on Capitol Hill | Colorado was
well-represented in Washington, DC on June 19th as Chapter members joined
2,000 other APTA members from across the country to support two important
Physical Therapy issues. Click
here for photo of the March on Capitol Hill
Some 25 Colorado physical therapy professionals donned their lobbying hats, rallied on Capitol Hill, and visited each of the offices of the state's nine-member congressional delegation. PTs asked their elected officials to support legislation that would allow Medicare beneficiaries to go directly to a physical therapist without obtaining a physician referral and to repeal the $1,590 Medicare therapy cap. Thanks to Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (CO-4) and Rep. Tom Tancredo (CO-6) who both signed the Medicare Direct Access bill soon after the visits to their offices. For background on the Medicare Patient Access to Physical Therapists Act (HR 792/S 493), click here. In addition, many thanks to Rep. Bob Beauprez (CO-7), Rep. Mark Udall (CO-2) and Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (CO-4) who have agreed to co-sponsor HR1125. Click here for more information on repealing the $1,590 Medicare therapy cap (HR1125/S 569). Chapter members are encouraged to send an email or fax a thank you note to these four elected officials. (Since the Anthrax scare, we have been advised NOT to write letters to Washington offices.) Their health aides will forward the message to them. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave Rep. Tom Tancredo Rep. Bob Beauprez Rep. Mark Udall Click here for photo of the March on Capitol Hill |
| APTA Student Conclave | APTA’s 11th Annual Student Conclave will take place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin October 24-26, 2003. "Start Here. Go Anywhere" is the theme for this year’s conclave which will showcase career paths and educate students on the benefits of their professional organization. Look on http://www.apta.org/ for more details |
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Hooked On Evidence Research Committee Update
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Over the
past few years, the movement in rehabilitation medicine is toward
evidenced based practice. There are many opportunities in the practice of
physical therapy to use evidence to support patient examinations and
interventions. Motivated by a concern that clinicians lacked access to the
knowledge available from current research, and by a desire to foster
involvement of physical therapists with the practice of evidenced based
medicine, the APTA has developed a project called HOOKED ON EVIDENCE (http://www.apta.org/hookedonevidence/index.cfm).
This website is a database containing current research evidence on the efficacy of physical therapy examinations and interventions. The website has the following objectives:
The contents of the site provide learning tools to foster evidence based practice in physical therapy, tutorial information on the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice, and an online input form to allow APTA members to contribute article extractions on various topics in physical therapy. The website was planned and built by APTA members. In an effort to serve as a resource support group to assist with the Colorado Physical Therapist research efforts, the Research Committee will introduce the "Hooked on Evidence Project" at the Colorado Chapter's Fall Symposium. This effort will set the stage for journal article reviews to be conducted at the Spring State Convention. These article reviews will cover topics that are of interest to the area clinicians and that can be submitted to the Hooked on Evidence website. This research article review process serves four objectives:
If you wish to be involved with the development of this project, please contact Michael A. Keirns PT, PhD, ATC, CSCS, Co-Chair of the Colorado Chapter's Research Committee at 303-458-4982 or email to mkeirns@regis.edu Click here if you wish to be a member of the Research Committee. |
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| Check out these companies who exhibited
at the Chapter's 2003 Spring Convention... | |
| AEGIS
Therapies 1000 Beverly Way, Ft. Smith, AR 72919 (877) 823-8375 x3729, Fax (479) 201-3703 http://www.aegistherapies.com/ |
Medical
Electronic Distribution Systems P. O. Box 1228, Longmont, CO 80502 (303) 442-8581, Fax (303) 776-1566 |
| Golf 4
Fun P O Box 27595, Denver, CO 80227 (303) 985-3403 |
Medical
Specialists Co., Inc. 7770 East Iliff Avenue #D, Denver, CO 80231 (303) 750-2002, Fax (303) 750-2043 garygraves@aol.com |
| Hanger
Prosthetics & Orthotics 11212 Quivas Loop, Denver, CO 80234 (303) 466-9648, Fax (303) 410-6942
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Preferred
Therapy Providers 101 Corporate Center, 19820 North 7th #250, Phoenix, AZ 85024 (623) 869-9101, Fax (623) 869-9102 aerickson@preferredtherapy.com http://www.preferredtherapy.com/ |
| Independence
Technology 45 Technology Drive, Warren, NJ 07059 (888) 463-3000 x2142, Fax (559) 434-6754 korf@indus.jnj.com http://www.independencenow.com/ |
Rehab Designs
of America 90 Galapago Street, Denver, CO 80023 (303) 322-6544, Fax (303) 322-6630 ediebusam@rdausa.com www.rdausa.com |
| Integrated
Medical, Inc. 8100 South Akron, Suite 320, Englewood, CO 80112 (303) 792-0069, Fax (303) 792-0702 drmcgimsey@qwest.net |
Rehabilicare 11000 East Yale Avenue #106, Aurora, CO 80014 (303) 418-0030, Fax (303) 418-0031 info@rehabilicare.com http://www.compextechnologies.com/ |
| Major Medical
Supply 600 South Holly, Suite 10, Denver, CO 80246 (303) 403-4655, Fax (303) 403-1953 mailto:403-1953helen@majormedicalsupply.com http://www.majormedicalsupply.com/ |
Restorative
Care of America, Inc. 12221 33rd Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33716 (800) 627-1595, Fax (727) 573-1886 info@rcai.com www.rcai.com |
| Medicaid
Billing Services 1728 Race Street, Denver, CO 80206 (303) 331-0651, Fax (303) 321-3015 kls@accentoni.com |
United Seating
& Mobility 905 East Fillmore Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80907 (800) 627-1595, Fax (719) 520-0033 wdewitt@unitedseating.com http://www.unitedseating.com/ |
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Calendar |
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Copyright 2003,
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08/14/03 |
