ACTION ALERT: Urge Congress to Protect Rehabilitation Services in the Year-End Legislative Package

The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2021, which goes into effect January 1, drastically cuts payments to physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians, critical therapists, and other providers essential to caring for people with brain injury.

The Holding Providers Harmless from Medicare Cuts During COVID-19 Act of 2020 (H.R. 8702, S. 5007) is bipartisan legislation that would provide critical relief to providers who are scheduled to receive Medicare payment cuts next year. H.R. 8702/S. 5007 would ensure that payments to critical brain injury providers are kept stable for the next two years. This legislation was introduced by Reps. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) and Larry Bucshon (R-Ind.) in the House and Sens. John Boozman (R-Ark.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), and Susan Collins (R-ME) in the Senate.

Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to avoid payment cuts that could inadvertently limit access to care or further worsen the financial instability of health care provider practices.

The Brain Injury Association of America is eager to see a long-term solution to the inequities in care caused by the budget neutrality requirements in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. For now, we must offset the cuts with a temporary solution. 

Please take action now! Contact your senators and representatives and urge them to include H.R. 8702/S. 5007 in the end-of-year legislative package.

We have created a draft for you to use as an email or phone script when contacting your elected officials.

Dear [Elected Official],

As a constituent, I urge you to support H.R. 8702/S. 5007 in any year-end legislation. Now is the not time to make cut payments to Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physicians, skilled therapists, and others who provide essential care service to patients with brain injuries.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

Thank you for helping to ensure that individuals with brain injury can receive essential care. Click here to find your elected officials.