[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 65 (Friday, May 10, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE OUTPATIENT PHYSICAL THERAPY STANDARDS ACT OF 1996

                                 ______


                           HON. SCOTT L. KLUG

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 9, 1996

  Mr. KLUG. Mr. Speaker, Representative Pete Stark, Representative Jim 
Nussle, and I are introducing the Outpatient Physical Therapy Standards 
Act of 1996. This legislation would extend the current coverage 
standards that exist for independent practicing physical and 
occupational therapists to physicians' offices that also provide 
therapy services. This proposal was included in the Medicare 
Preservation Act which passed the House last October.
  Currently, physical and occupational therapists must comply with 
certain standards. A study released by the Office of the Inspector 
General [OIG], however, has revealed certain abuses of these standards 
when the therapy was conducted within a doctor's office.
  The study stated that, ``Almost four out of five cases or 
reimbursement as physical therapy in physicians' offices do not 
represent true physical therapy services.'' The study also found that 
many physicians are billing the Medicare program for therapy services 
provided by unlicensed personnel. OIG estimated that $47 million was 
inappropriately paid for therapy services performed in physicians' 
offices in 1991.
  Physical and occupational therapy services should be held to the same 
standard of coverage regardless of the setting in which they are 
delivered. The Outpatient Physical Therapy Standards Act of 1996 will 
help close a loophole in Medicare policy that will save millions of 
dollars annually while ensuring the delivery of high quality physical 
and occupational therapy.

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