NW Valley Times

U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) has sent a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSureto, urging the agency to retain proposed supervision requirements for occupational and physical therapy assistants in the 2025 Physician Fee Schedule final rule. These requirements align with bipartisan legislation introduced by Lesko and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH-02) in H.R. 4878, the EMPOWER Act.

“Occupational and physical therapy are key healthcare resources for many Americans, especially our aging populations,” stated Congresswoman Lesko. “Ensuring the inclusion of the Supervision of Outpatient Therapy Services in Private Practices rule change is a crucial step in meeting the needs of rural and underserved areas, who often have the most trouble reliably securing these treatment options.”

The proposed rule would modify the supervision requirement for occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) and physical therapy assistants (PTAs) to allow general, rather than direct, supervision. This adjustment aims to enhance flexibility and accessibility for patients.

According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, 49 out of 50 states currently permit general supervision by OTAs and PTAs. If adopted in the final rule, this change would enable Medicare and Medicaid recipients to access care on par with other patients not governed by CMS guidelines.

Lesko's letter was co-signed by Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH-02). To read the full letter, click here.

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