CTAPTA President's Message
7.31.2015
Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience.
It’s been a busy summer nationally and locally.
Leaders within the CTAPTA met in Branford, CT for a yearly strategic planning meeting. This meeting is important for new leaders for orientation to resources, and for the leadership to determine goals and chapter priorities. The APTA adopted a new vision in 2013, “Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience”. It is bold, visionary, and is a statement that stands alone. It has driven the APTA and their new strategic plan. Link to APTA Strategic Plan. Seeing this change nationally, we at a state level have been reflecting on how our state association can transform to better serve you and society. This retreat was the first step in many to better serve our members and to help you better serve our patients in all settings across the state.
The Chapter website will be transforming as you receive this message. Not only will we now be able to link to facebook, twitter, and linkedin, but it will be more user-friendly and make it easier for members to stay up to date with current CTAPTA events. A new addition to the website will be the CTAPTA Volunteer Interest Form. Some jobs/tasks are as simple as a one day commitment, others one week, and others shorter times throughout the year. The more people who are involved the better we can serve members and patients, but we need your help to do it. Please take a minute to fill out the form and help your association.
Karleen Cordeau, CTAPTA Practice Chair, was invited by The Center for Medicare Advocacy to join the Jimmo Implementation Council. Karleen joined the Center for Medicare Advocacy and a select, multi-disciplinary group of professionals and healthcare leaders at the United States Capitol on June 23rd. The council brought forth the status of Jimmo v. Sebelius, concerns, best practices to increase appropriate access, and plans to collaborate the next steps to implement the Jimmo Settlement.
History of the settlement: The Center for Medicare Advocacy, with Vermont Legal Aid, brought the Jimmo lawsuit on behalf of individuals and key organizations because the “improvement standard,” requiring improvement in order to obtain Medicare coverage, was the most common reason for Medicare denials in all care-settings. The Jimmo Settlement has been in effect since 2012. Jimmo stands for the proposition that Medicare coverage should be available for skilled therapy or nursing needed to maintain an individual’s condition, or slow deterioration – similarly to services covered to improve one’s condition. As a national class action, Jimmo applies to all Medicare beneficiaries.
As a member of CTAPTA, Karleen will offer CTAPTA ongoing information about the Jimmo Settlement and the work of The Council. Karleen holds many different roles and positions within the profession at a state and national level. Her drive, dedication, and passion for the profession helps to move our profession forward.
The fall conference is fast approaching and due to the Jimmo settlement CTAPTA will be adding a Friday morning program. Judith Stein from the center for medicare advocacy will be speaking to inform physical therapists and administrators about the changes and how to document these changes. Please alert your front office staff that this will be excellent training for them as well.
The CTAPTA is one of many organizations co-sponsoring the first global physical therapy day of service http://ptdayofservice.com/ #PTDOS. It will take place Saturday October 17th. Due to this falling on the same day as the fall conference we’ve decided to hold a shoe drive so that members attending the conference can still participate. Please spread the word.
