Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act

The American Occupational Therapy Association fully supports the Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act (H.R. 1094), claiming that since the inclusion of occupational therapy as a Medicare free standing benefit in 1987, there has been an issue of inequality as occupational therapy does not qualify as an initiating service for Medicare home health services. (Reference 1)

Introduction

• U.S. Democratic Rep. John Lewis of Georgia introduced the Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2009 to the House on Feb. 13, 2009. Among the bill's 13 co-sponsors were fellow Democrats and Republicans as well.

Purpose

• The Congressional Research Service Summary defines the purpose of the act as amending Medicare laws so that a home health agency may determine the most appropriate skilled service to make an initial assessment visit for individuals eligible for home health service benefits. Occupational therapy is not currently covered in a home health setting by Medicare. The passage of the House Resolution 1094 would change that.

Status

• As of August 2010, H.R. 1094 has been introduced and referred to the Committee of Ways and Means as well as the Committee on Energy and Commerce. The next step needed to advance H.R. 1094 is report by committee. Report by committee means the committee has voted in favor of the bill to be passed on to the House or Senate for debate. Most bills do not make it out of committee, according to GovTrack.

Support

• The American Physical Therapy Association, the American Speech Language Hearing Association and the National Association of Home Care and Hospice also support the act.