On July 15, 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposal to cover acupuncture for Medicare patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) who are enrolled participants either in clinical trials sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or in CMS-approved studies. To read the proposed decision memo, click HERE. To submit comments on the proposed decision memo, click HERE.

Anthem Blue Cross has announced they will further delay the implementation of AIM Specialty Health and the prior authorization process for outpatient therapy services for the 13 states that were originally scheduled to begin with dates of service on and after July 1, 2019. On July 2, Anthem Blue Cross announced the implementation that began July 1, 2019 was being halted and would resume with dates of service on and after August 1, 2019. On July 16, 2019, Anthem Blue Cross announced they are

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the Home Health proposed rule for calendar year (CY) 2020. In the proposed rule, there are several proposals that could have an impact on physical, occupational and speech therapy services with one of the proposals having a potential positive impact on outpatient therapy services and another proposal recommending changes to who can provide maintenance therapy to Medicare beneficiaries who are under an active Home Health Agency (HHA) plan of care. Proposals that impact therapy services include, but are not limited to the following: