U.S. Senate/House Pass RUG IV, Therapy Cap Fix

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act of 2010 (H.R. 4994), which fully implements the new Medicare payment system and extends the critical Medicare Part B therapy exceptions process. The bill repeals the RUG IV implementation delay to October 1, 2011 and extends the current therapy caps exceptions process until December 31, 2011, opening the door for patients to continue receiving critical physical, occupational, and speech-language therapies. Today, the House passed the measure, enabling it to be sent to the White House where the President is expected to sign the bill.

Bruce Yarwood, President and CEO of the American Health Care Association, FHCA's national affiliate, released this statement in conjunction with Alan G. Rosenbloom, President of the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care and Cynthia Morton, Executive Vice President of the National Association for the Support of Long Term Care.

“The long term and post-acute care community praises the House of Representatives for passing legislation that fully implements a new Medicare payment system and extends the critical Medicare Part B therapy exceptions process. Our profession now has the tools to ensure that in 2011 we can continue delivering the comprehensive, complex and medically necessary health services America’s seniors need and deserve.”