NYPTA Lobby Day May 15 Stop High Copays

ALBANY , NY (05/08/2012)(readMedia)-- According to the New York Physical Therapy Association (NYPTA), the vast majority of health insurers now apply the higher "specialist" copay to physical therapy visits. The application of the higher "specialist" copay causes an unfair financial burden on patients and, because it may even exceed the total amount health insurers allow for a visit to the physical therapist, makes consumers bear the entire cost of the service.

For example, it is not uncommon for "specialist" copays to be $50 per visit which, when applied to physical therapy care that can require 10 to12 or more sessions per month, can cost a patient upwards of $500 per month in out-of-pocket costs. Further, the application of "specialist" copays for physical therapy is particularly onerous and unfair given that the maximum amount the insurer typically allows for the visit is $45, less the patient copay. But, because the copay is greater than the allowed amount, the insurance company pays $0 for the visit while the patient pays 100% or more of the allowable amount of the visit.

This practice -- which can lead to foregone treatment or alternative, more invasive treatments for patients; the loss of patients and jobs for physical therapists, most of whom are small businessmen; and a more costly and less effective health care system for all New Yorkers -- will be the focus of the NYPTAs 2012 Lobby Day in Albany.

"We support A.187A and S.4870A on behalf of our patients and our profession," said NYPTA's president Matthew R. Hyland, PT, PhD, MPA. "By limiting the amount of the copay insurers can require to 20 percent of the cost of care or reimbursement rate, these bills will not only limit out-of-pocket health care costs for patients, they will also help reduce long-term health care costs for New York State by ensuring that patients have access to the most cost effective musculoskeletal rehabilitation care for their needs. Passage of A.187A/S.4870A would be a win-win for the all New Yorkers and the health care delivery system."

WHO:	New York Physical Therapy Association
WHAT:	Annual NYPTA Lobby Day to Support A.187A (sponsored by Assemblyman Cahill) and S.4870A (sponsored by Senator DeFrancisco), bills which provides that no health care policy shall impose co-payments in excess of twenty percent of total reimbursement to the provider of care [as it applies to physical therapy services]
WHERE:	Legislative Office Building, Albany
WHEN:	May, 15, 2012 10:00AM to 4:00PM
MEDIA AVAILABILITY:	Matthew Hyland, PT, PhD, president of the New York Physical Therapy Association will be available for media interviews in Albany on May 15, 2012 beginning at 10:00 AM, as well as prior to Lobby Day by phone. To set up an interview with Dr. Hyland, contact Bibiana Braun at 518-459-4499.

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ABOUT THE NEW YORK PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION:

The New York Physical Therapy Association is a professional, non-profit association that represents the interests of 12,000 Physical Therapists (PTs), Physical Therapist Assistants (PTAs) and PT/PTA students. The NYPTA is dedicated to serving the public's health interests, improving the standard of health for people of all ages and advancing the benefits of physical therapy and the interests of physical therapy professionals in state of New York. To learn more about the New York Physical Therapy Association please visit www.nypta.org.

Posted Tuesday May 08, 2012 at 11:49 am by New York Physical Therapy Association
Last Updated Wednesday May 09, 2012 at 07:55 am