Groups question Medicare physical therapy limits

A growing number of medical groups, and at least some legislators, are beginning to challenge Medicare's limits on reimbursement for physical therapy. Currently, Medicare covers a patient's first $1,780 of physical therapy, after which the patient must apply for an exception. However, groups like the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association have called this limit "arbitrary," arguing that freer funding of physical therapy could reduce complications of serious illnesses, speed recovery and help patients function better.

The groups have attracted the support of at least one federal legislator, Senate Finance Committee member John Ensign (R-NV). In early January, Ensign introduced a bill to abolish the Medicare caps. The bill has since attracted 33 cosponsors.

To learn more about the issue:
- read this Las Vegas Review Journal article

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