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Fall is my favorite season for so many reasons: the changing leaves, crisp temperatures, and of course, football! We are just under a month away from our annual Fall Summit, graciously hosted this year by Emory & Henry College School of Health Sciences in Marion. I’m extremely excited to be back in-person this year and experience a change of scenery, and I can think of no better place than in the mountains of Virginia. We have an amazing lineup of continuing education sessions and student programming containing relevant information and cutting-edge knowledge, countless networking opportunities, innovative growth mindset solutions, our Annual Members Meeting, and a Trivia Night presented by the APTA Virginia PAC—there's something for everyone at this powerhouse event. There is still time to register, so don't miss out!
Looking forward to seeing you all there!
Sincerely,
Tony Grillo, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT
President
APTA Virginia
The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) recently honored Tom Bohanon, PT, DPT, OCS, owner and senior physical therapist at InMotion Physical Therapy, with the association’s 2022 esteemed Recognition of Legislative Commitment Award. Dr. Bohanon was presented this prestigious award during the APTA Leadership Congress at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C., August 12-16, 2022. The Recognition of Legislative Commitment Award recognizes and rewards component leaders in the area of state legislative leadership who bring increased awareness and involvement to state legislative issues and who achieve success in state legislative issues that strengthen the practice of physical therapy. Read More…
APTA Virginia is proud to offer annual Partner Program packages for any organization’s budget, with maximum year-long exposure and customizable options, allowing you to select the best add-ons to meet your organization’s goals. Marketing your way to success has never been easier!
This tool is designed to personalize your company’s visibility and connections. With the APTA Virginia Partner Program, you set your sponsorship budget for the year and the benefits to suit your promotion goals.
In our continuing effort to provide the best training and events possible to our members and event attendees, APTA Virginia invites professionals and subject matter experts to provide proposals for the 2023 Virginia is for Learners educational program. Serve as a speaker, session facilitator, presenter, or part of a panel discussion. Opportunities include in-person and virtual events. Read more…
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In May, practitioners received correspondence from Anthem Blue Cross that AIM, a Utilization Review and Management company, will be taking over the authorization process for physical therapy services in Virginia effective August 1, 2022. Due to several issues with the rollout of this process, the effective date was postponed until September, and there is now a further postponement as a result of ongoing issues.
Please see the below announcement from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and affiliate HealthKeepers, Inc. directed at all providers who offer Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy.
…“The AIM Rehabilitation Program effective date is still delayed. A prior authorization will not be required for therapy services at this time. Previously, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and our affiliate HealthKeepers, inc. shared with you our plans to transition medical necessity review of physical, occupational and speech therapy services to AIM Specialty Health® (AIM), a separate company, effective September 1, 2022. We recently informed you that we were experiencing a technical issue related to Anthem’s Commercial members in Virginia. The program will continue to be postponed while we will focus on resolving our technical issues. We will share the new effective date in advance in a future communication.”...
APTA Virginia has been aware of the issue and continues to monitor as it is ongoing. This impacts patient access and clinic flow and incurs administrative burdens. On behalf of our members, we are in the process of advocacy efforts directed at legislators, Anthem executives, and other key personnel.
Our Payment & Policy committee are available to members for questions and to provide any resources we can within legal or ethical limitations. Please feel free to reach out with any questions you may have or if you are interested in joining the advocacy efforts.
One of APTA Virginia's most popular events returns on Friday, November 4, so you can put your wits to the test and back the PAC. The games begin at 6:30 p.m. at the General Francis Marion Hotel. Gather your team and put on your smarty pants for several rounds of trivia questions! Read More…
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The APTA Catherine Worthingham Fellows are sponsoring six scholarships for physical therapy students to attend the APTA CSM 2023 in San Diego, California. Students must be in their second or third year of physical therapy school at the time of the conference. Each $750 scholarship can be applied towards registration, airline, hotel, and/or meal costs. Applications must be submitted by September 30, and winners will be notified by November 8.
For additional information, please contact infoCWFellows@gmail.com.
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If 2020 and 2021 were about reimagining the work of physical therapists, 2022 is about taking what we learned, saw, and felt and making lasting changes to our work in service of our patients and communities. This year's annual members meeting embraces the work in progress. Together we will consider what we learned in the past two years—what it means to be responsive in an everchanging landscape and how we define community, allocate resources, and find new ways to engage members and keep our association vibrant.
Join your peers and colleagues at the 2022 Annual Members Meeting on November 5, held in conjunction with the Fall Summit. Participate in conversations, workshops, and roundtables about ideas and projects, including those that aren't yet completely realized, and the risks, big and small, that physical therapy professionals are taking to change the field.
Attendance is limited to members only. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required to ensure ample seating and handouts available. Read More…
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Annual Hallowheels Fundraiser |
Children’s Assistive Technology Service (C.A.T.S.) will be holding its 6th Annual Hallowheels Fundraiser in late October. C.A.T.S. provides for the re-use of pediatric rehabilitation equipment and assistive technology devices in Virginia and serves as a no-cost resource for children with disabilities who need adaptive equipment and whose families have limited resources. Hallowheels is the organization’s biggest fundraising event of the year, which transforms wheelchairs and walkers into vehicles of imagination, transporting children to a place of fun, creativity, and possibilities.
Pictures of the participants will be posted on the C.A.T.S. website during Halloween week: October 29-November 4, 2022. Followers can make a $1.00 donation for each vote for their favorite costumes. All proceeds support C.A.T.S. assistive technology reuse program.
For more information contact: Erika Jenkins, Hallowheels Coordinator - erika@atdevicesforkids.org
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Per the APTA Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy: “In 1981 the APTA House of Delegates approved board certification in the area of pediatrics. The first pediatrics specialist certification examination was administered in 1986. Since then, more than 2200 Pediatric Specialists have been certified by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS).”
Jennifer Baum, PT, DPT
Jenny lives in Roanoke, VA and provides early intervention and outpatient services in the surrounding areas. She completed the VCU Pediatric PT residency with the Children's Hospital of Richmond in 2021 and just became a PCS this spring. She is excited to continue learning with the pediatric population and participating with the VPTA PSIG.
David Downing, PT, DPT
David is a Board Certified Pediatric Clinical Specialist, currently practicing outpatient physical therapy at the University of Virginia Children's Hospital. He completed a Pediatric residency and LEND Fellowship at Oregon Health and Science University in 2020, after earning his Doctorate of Physical Therapy at the University of Kentucky in 2015. He has experience practicing in inpatient, outpatient, school-based, early intervention and NICU settings, as well as teaching and developing DPT curricula. He currently serves as secretary to the Virginia Pediatric Special Interest Group, as well as provides contributions to the APTA Pediatrics Practice Development Committee. He is an active member of his local trail running community where he seeks to encourage others to find joy in movement.
Emily Glasson, PT, DPT
Emily is a board-certified specialist in pediatric physical therapy. She has a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. She currently practices at CORA Physical Therapy in Blacksburg, VA where she treats infants and children with a variety of orthopedic and neuromuscular conditions.
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Journal of Physical Therapy Education
Physical therapy education programs commonly require preadmission observation hours (ObHr) as a component of the admissions process. This study describes the value and impact of ObHr on four key stakeholders: doctor of physical therapy students, physical therapy clinicians, directors of clinical education, and admissions committee members.
WebPT
Remedying claim denials require time and resources and delay cash flow. These can add up quickly and point to a larger issue with a clinic’s billing practices.
Evidence in Motion
Technology can help PTs in their mission to aid patients in recovery. WebPT and Clinicient’s joint PT Patient Experience Report show key ways in which PTs can incorporate technology into their work.
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