Bill Details
View committees (2)
View cosponsors (20)
- Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-New York-20]
- Rep. Harder, Josh [D-California-9]
- Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-North Carolina-1]
- Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-Kansas-3]
- Rep. Bost, Mike [R-Illinois-12]
- Rep. Johnson, Dusty [R-South Dakota]
- Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-California-19]
- Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-California-7]
- Rep. Pocan, Mark [D-Wisconsin-2]
- Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-Tennessee-9]
- Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-Nebraska-3]
- Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-New York-18]
- Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-Washington-1]
- Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-New Jersey-2]
- Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-Wisconsin-4]
- Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-Colorado-7]
- Rep. Fleischmann, Charles J. "Chuck" [R-Tennessee-3]
- Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-Louisiana-2]
- Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-New Jersey-3]
- Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-Florida-5]
AI Summary This summary was generated by AI from the bill text. AI can get information wrong.
This bill would let physical therapists use “locum tenens” arrangements under Medicare. In simple terms, that means a temporary substitute therapist could step in when the regular therapist is away, so patients can keep getting care without major interruptions. The bill is meant to make it easier for physical therapy offices and clinics to stay open and continue treating Medicare patients when a therapist is sick, on leave, or otherwise unavailable.
- It changes Medicare rules so physical therapists can use the same kind of temporary substitute arrangement already available for some other providers.
- The goal is to reduce gaps in care and help patients keep their therapy appointments and treatment plans on track.
- The change would take effect for services provided after the bill becomes law.
Official Summaries
Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act of 2025
This bill allows a physical therapist to receive payment under Medicare for services provided to the physical therapist's patients by another physical therapist through a qualifying temporary arrangement, regardless of the geographic area or population served. Currently, physical therapists may only receive payment with respect to such arrangements for services provided in medically underserved, rural, or health professional shortage areas.
Current Full Text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1517 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1517
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to add physical
therapists to the list of providers allowed to utilize locum tenens
arrangements under Medicare.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 24, 2025
Mr. Bilirakis (for himself and Mr. Tonko) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and
in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration
of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee
concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to add physical
therapists to the list of providers allowed to utilize locum tenens
arrangements under Medicare.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Prevent Interruptions in Physical
Therapy Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. ALLOWING PHYSICAL THERAPISTS TO UTILIZE LOCUM TENENS
ARRANGEMENTS UNDER MEDICARE.
(a) In General.--The first sentence of section 1842(b)(6) of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395u(b)(6)) is amended by striking ``,
and (J)'' and all that follows through ``physicians' services furnished
by physicians.'' and inserting ``, and (J) in the case of outpatient
physical therapy services furnished by physical therapists,
subparagraph (D) of this sentence shall apply to such services and
therapists in the same manner as such subparagraph applies to
physicians' services furnished by physicians.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) shall
apply to items and services furnished after the date of the enactment
of this Act.
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