Thompson sponsors bill to increase Medicare access to inpatient rehab

Access to skilled rehabilitation therapies for Medicare patients would be expanded under a bipartisan bill introduced on Oct. 26 by U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA).

“I am pleased to reintroduce bipartisan legislation that will ensure Medicare empowers physicians to fully exercise their medical judgment and therapy professionals to deliver the best possible care for patients recovering from accidents or illness,” Rep. Thompson said.

The Access to Inpatient Rehabilitation Therapy Act of 2023, H.R. 6110, which Rep. Thompson sponsored alongside original bill sponsor U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT), would expand and provide America’s senior citizens with patient-centered, well-rounded treatment options, according to a bill summary provided by the lawmakers.

“As a former Rehabilitation Services Manager and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, I was honored to work with patients facing life-changing disease and disability for nearly three decades,” said Rep. Thompson. “The effectiveness of care involves the proper mix, frequency and intensity of medically necessary physician prescribed therapy.”

Specifically, H.R. 6110 would amend the Social Security Act to restore physician judgment to prescribe the appropriate mix of skilled modalities that constitute an intensive rehabilitation therapy program in an inpatient rehabilitation hospital or unit, according to the text of the bill.

“This bill would make a small but important change to Medicare to ensure that patients recovering from an injury or disabling event can receive the types of rehab that their care team recommends,” said Rep. Courtney. “The current ‘intensity of therapy’ requirement does not support the range of therapies – such as respiratory therapy or recreational therapy – that patients may need to recover from an injury of serious medical event. It’s crucial that these patients have access to the treatment that their care team recommends, and I’m glad to work with Rep. GT Thompson to introduce this legislation to ensure Medicare better supports patient recovery.”

H.R. 6110 has been endorsed by numerous entities, including the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association, the American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, the Brain Injury Association of America, the ALS Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the National Disability Rights Network, and many others.