The Virginian
 
 
Association News
President's Message
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday. While COVID continues to heavily impact our daily lives, PTs and PTAs across the state are getting vaccinated and we continue to provide essential services to our patients. APTA Virginia has been hard at work over the last couple of months – particularly in the area of advocacy. While we were still unable to be in-person at the capitol for Lobby Day in January, our legislative efforts have not diminished. Our bill to increase the time a physical therapist can evaluate and treat a patient via Direct Access from 30 days to 60 days has passed unanimously in the Senate and will be on to the House of Delegates soon. Our ultimate goal is for unfettered Direct Access, which we will pursue in 2022. This will take ongoing volunteer effort to find success, so please take a few minutes to contact your legislators and help advance our profession. Form letters and talking points can be found here. 
 
Additional APTA Virginia advocacy efforts currently include:
  • Fair payment practices from third-party payers.
  • Laying groundwork for the pursuit of future legislation allowing PTs to order imaging.
  • Assisting with APTA’s effort to maintain utilization and coding for payment of telemedicine services beyond the pandemic.
  • Virginia PTs providing needed assistance with the COVID pandemic, including assistance with vaccine administration if called upon.
Finally, we have some exciting changes on the horizon, including re-vamping how we will offer educational content. More details to come soon!
 
As always, thank you for your membership and for supporting APTA Virginia. 
 
Tony
APTA's Outcomes Registry Again Receives Key CMS Designation
American Physical Therapy Association
The APTA Physical Therapy Outcomes Registry has been approved for the fifth year in a row as a qualified clinical data registry by the U.S Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — an important benefit for PTs in MIPS.
 
 
 
 
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Advocacy
Advocacy Alert - We Need 60 Seconds of Your Time
Recently some practice owners and managers have reported a change in reimbursement rates with various Anthem plans. APTA VA would like to gather some information from providers in the state on those who may or may not have been impacted to determine a need for an advocacy effort.
What Are Your Thoughts About Imaging?
APTA Virginia is working with the Virginia Board of Physical Therapy to advance the practice capacity of physical therapists to include the ordering of diagnostic imaging.
 
Student News
Student Elections
The Virginia Student Special Interest Group is now accepting applications from current DPT/PTA students for the 2021-2022 Executive Committee. You must be a current APTA Virginia member in order to apply!
 
Applications will close at 12:00pm on Friday, February 26th.
 
Industry News
Virginia Makes Its COVID-19 Workplace Safety Regulations Permanent
Virginia Mercury
Virginia's emergency workplace regulations to address COVID-19 were set to expire, but due to the continued spread of the virus, a set of permanent standards will remain in place until at least the end of the pandemic.
APTA Coronavirus Update
American Physical Therapy Association
National vaccine strategy, telehealth coverage extension, long-term COVID-19 effects, and more.
Can’t Cut This: Reimbursements Crucial for Long-Term COVID-19 Treatments
U.S. News & World Report
Cutting Medicare reimbursement rates for physical therapists creates potential roadblocks for COVID-19 survivors needing intense rehabilitation.
 
 
 
 
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