Take Up the Challenge

Becky’s

Schedule

 

· Feb. 5 Lunch at ICARE

· Feb. 14 ASBPT Mtg.

· Feb. 18 Holiday

· Feb. 19 CMSA Mtg.

· Feb. 23 Spring Mtg.

· Feb. 25 Comp Day

Rehabilitation Network of ArkansaS

Rehab Net News Update

February 1, 2008

Volume 9 Number 1

                 Rehab Net’s New Board of Directors met for the first time this last month at Mt. Petit Jean’s Mather Lodge for their annual planning retreat.  They spent time discussing important issues facing private practice physical therapists in Arkansas.  Joining the Board at the retreat was Bradley Phillips of our lobbyist’s office. A hot topic of the day was exploring potential legislative changes and building relationships with our legislators to help us get these passed.

                 Whether we move forward with legislative changes during the next session or not, it is more important now than ever before to develop a relationship with our legislators.  Bradley has offered his assistance in building the grass root network.  One of his suggestions was that we need to invite our legislators to tour our clinics, meet our employees and see the clinic in operation.  Unless legislators work in healthcare or have received physical therapy, they do not understand what you do or what obstacles you and your patients face.  They need to know.  Bradley will assist any members interested in scheduling these tours of your facilities.  I have asked that Bradley start with our Board members and then progress until a legislator has walked through everyone of our members’ clinics and spoken with their employees and patients.

                 The Arkansas State Board of Physical Therapy is looking at making some changes to the physical therapy practice act in 2009.  As they decide exactly what changes they wish to pursue, I will keep you informed.   For the most part the proposed changes will be non-controversial for the purpose of clarifying current practice and adding language that has been developed in response to national events such as terrorism attacks and hurricane disasters.  There is language that   reflects our changing technology and the use of electronic means to provide therapy services.  

                 There are some proposed changes that will be controversial if pursued.  Rehab Net’s Board, ArPTA’s leadership, and the ASBPT have been communicating to look into the need for changes.  The next legislative session starts in January 2009.  The intent is to not participate in turf battles but to provide appropriate regulation of the practice of physical therapy in AR.

                 Rehab Net is also hoping to pursue a Prompt Payment Law.  Currently, the issue of prompt payment is addressed by the Arkansas Insurance Commissioner’s Rule and Regulation 43.  Bradley has told us that it is important that we let the Insurance Commissioner know that insurance companies are not abiding by this rule. To read the rule visit this webpage:

http://www.insurance.arkansas.gov/LEGAL%20DATASERVICES/rulesandregs/rnr43.doc

                 Our Challenge to you is to get involved and get to know your legislators.  The better relationship that we have with them the better chance we will have of getting through to them on issues that are important to us and our patients, their constituents.

                 As always, the Board discussed ideas for building value into your membership and getting more members involved and active with Rehab Net.  We will be continuing with our Fun Day event in the summer and will continue to bring you continuing education opportunities.  This year we will be looking at more business management types of opportunities than clinical based.

                 We still want to encourage greater participation in the APTA.  We need to work together with them to build a stronger physical therapy community in Arkansas.  The healthcare game is changing rapidly and we need to stick together and help each other.  No better way than to be connected through Rehab Net and ArPTA participation.  We are looking forward to a great 2008.