Manipulative Treatment under Medicare

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Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 12:20:38 -0400 (EDT)

From: maillist@...

To: White@...

A new message, " Manipulative Treatment Under Medicare, " was posted

on the Component Bulletin Board

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by Beth on Friday, 23 July 1999, at 12:19 p.m.

The message reads as follows:

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Contact: is Waters

AMERICAN PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION STATEMENT REGARDING PHYSICAL

THERAPISTS’ ABILITY TO PERFORM MANIPULATIVE TREATMENT UNDER MEDICARE

July 23, 1999

In recent weeks, there has been confusion regarding physical therapists’

qualifications to perform manipulation therapy services under the

Medicare + Choice program. In a letter to the Practicing Physicians

Advisory Council appointed by the Health Care Financing Administration

(HCFA), A. Gustafson, PhD, director of the Plan and Purchasing

Policy Group within the Center for Health Plans and Providers at HCFA,

states that:

“Section 1852(a) of the Social Security Act requires Medicare managed

care plans to provide all Medicare services, including physician

services,

to their Medicare enrollees…These physicians may include any providers

defined as physicians under the Medicare law; this definition includes,

but is not limited to, chiropractors. Plans may also use physical

therapists to provide services, including manipulative treatment of

the spine, and other areas, as long as they operate in accordance

with state law.”

Dr. Gustafson further clarified that others besides physical therapists

may perform manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation stating

that “Medicare plans, however, cannot rely on physical therapists

(or other non-physician practitioners) alone to satisfy the obligation

to make available manipulation of the spine to correct a subluxation.”

Physical therapists have long been nationally recognized by state

licensure laws as qualified providers of manual therapy services,

including mobilization and manipulation.

It is our hope that Dr. Gustafson’s remarks will serve to clarify

any previous confusion regarding the role of physical therapists in

performing manipulation.

# # #

The American Physical Therapy Association is a national professional

organization representing more than 74,000 members. Its goal is to

foster advancements in physical therapy practice, research, and

education.

A copy of the letter referenced in this statement is available upon

request.

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