I think we should become involved in this! While this may seem at first blush to be a bit mundane when compared with the potential benefits of getting Udall funded, life does go on for the huddled masses of PWP out there who need Medicare's benefits. I think we should write these letters because many of them can't. -----Original Message----- From: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> To: Multiple recipients of list PARKINSN <[log in to unmask]> Date: Thursday, June 25, 1998 4:18 PM Subject: Call for Action! >REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR PARKINSON PATIENTS IN JEOPARDY!! > >In a rush to find savings in the Medicare program last year, Congress >imposed arbitrary annual caps of $1,500 per beneficiary on all outpatient >rehabilitation services except those furnished in a hospital outpatient >department. The legislation, part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, has >been interpreted by Medicare to establish two limits - a $1,500 cap for >physical therapy and speech-language pathology services and a separate >$1,500 cap for occupational therapy services. The limits become effective >for services rendered on or after January 1, 1999. > >These limits on outpatient rehabilitation services will impact heavily on >person suffering from Parkinson's disease for two reasons. First, there >is increasing evidence that persons with Parkinson's disease who receive >these services benefit considerably in their management of the disease, >comfort and activities of daily living. Second, because Parkinson's >disease is a chronic illness, the caps will by met on a regular basis >early in the twelve month cycle. > >The limits are completely arbitrary and bear no relation to the medical >condition of the patient nor the health outcomes of the rehabilitation >services. There exists no medical or empirical justification for the >caps. The caps are insensitive to the needs of patients and amount to >health care rationing. > >What makes this situation particularly frustrating is the fact that there >have been no Congressional hearings on reimbursement methodologies for >outpatient rehabilitation providers in general or the $1,500 caps in >particular. In comparison, multiple hearings were held on new payment >mechanisms for skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies and >managed care plans. > >Relief may be in sight if we all act quickly > >Several Congressmen and Senators have already introduced legislation that >would correct this problem. They are Congressman Ensign and Senators >Grassley and Reid in the Senate. > >Each of you who is either a Parkinson patient, caregiver, or friend of >someone with Parkinson's disease needs to write your Congressman and >Senators asking them to be a co-sponsor of the "Reinstatement of the >Medicare Benefit Act of 1998". A sample letter follows. > >If you need help identifying your Representative and/or Senators, or have >any questions, please contact the NPF Washington Office, toll free @ >(888) 331-4673. Bill Turenne or I will be happy to help you. > >If you are writing your Senators address the letter as follows: > >The Honorable (first and last name) >United States Senate >Washington, DC 20510 > >If you are writing your Congressman address the letter as follows: > >The Honorable (first and last name) >United States House of Representatives >Washington, DC 20515 > >SAMPLE LETTER > >Dear (CONGRESSMAN OR SENATOR) > >As a Medicare beneficiary and recipient of physical, occupational and >speech therapy, I recently learned that starting January 1, 1999, there >will be an arbitrary cap on the amount of outpatient physical therapy, >occupational therapy and speech therapy services that I can receive from >my therapist. Due to a provision in the 1997 Balanced Budget Act, I >understand that Medicare will only cover $3,000 per year for all of these >services in outpatient settings limiting me to treatment in outpatient >hospital departments. As your constituent, I am upset that Congress has >arbitrarily limited my options for care. While I understand that everyone >should share in the burden to reduce Medicare costs to ensure solvency of >the program, this arbitrary cap does not make sense. > > Optional--[Add patient history, particularly the benefits of these >therapies to patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. Indicate how >theses therapies have improved your functions, independence and >activities of daily living..] > >I ask you to support the enactment of H.R. 3835, the "Reinstatement of >the Medicare Rehabilitation Benefit Act of 1998" sponsored by Congressman >John Ensign and a similar bill sponsored in the Senate by Senators >Grassley and Reid. > >Sincerely, >