Bipartisan Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act Introduced

Washington—The Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act, H.R. 7148, has been introduced by a bipartisan coalition of legislators including Reps. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Dr. John Joyce (PA-13), Paul Tonko (NY-20), and Lloyd Doggett (TX-37). The bill would enable occupational therapy (OT) to be ordered as a stand-alone home health service for Medicare beneficiaries, if appropriate.

Currently, OT services are the only skilled service that does not qualify a beneficiary for Medicare’s Part A home health benefit. As a result, OT services cannot be provided in a beneficiary’s home unless nursing or other therapy services, like physical therapy or speech and language pathology, are simultaneously ordered at the start of care. 

“The Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act will ensure beneficiaries can receive the care they need in a setting that more and more prefer—at home. Our commonsense measure will ensure home health orders are better tailored to each patient as well as maximize their ability to thrive at home and avoid costly rehospitalizations. I thank my colleagues for joining me introducing and advocating for this legislation’s passage,” said Congressman Lloyd Smucker (PA-11).

“The Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act is a bipartisan solution that will allow more Medicare beneficiaries to lead safe, independent lives.  Access to in-home occupational therapy – especially in rural communities – is a game changer for patients who wish to heal and recover in the comfort of their homes. This common-sense legislation would be a victory for thousands of patients nationwide, and it’s critical that the Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act receives a vote as soon as possible,” said Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13).

“Home- and community-based care is a critical part of our health care system, and many of my constituents rely on home care while recovering from injury or illness,” said Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-37). “Unnecessary barriers to receiving health care at home leaves seniors with fewer choices and risks higher medical bills. This legislation will provide more patient choice and access by ensuring occupational therapy can qualify Medicare beneficiaries for home care, just as similarly positioned services already do.”

“Passage of this bill would be especially helpful to better target home health services to meet specific patient needs. OT services are often crucial to enabling a Medicare beneficiary to avoid falls and other accidents which could result in that person losing the ability to remain independently at home,” said Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20).

What are they saying about the Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act?

Alyson Stover, MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP, President of the American Occupational Therapy Association, notes that “occupational therapy services are ideally suited to home health given the ability of OTs to work with patients directly in their home environment to address safety and other issues that are difficult to identify in a clinical setting.” She adds that “we are thrilled to endorse the Medicare Home Health Accessibility Act which would enhance access to OT services which can enable individuals to live safely at home by addressing issues that can result in costly emergency room visits and hospitalizations.” 

“It is time that Congress rectify a long-standing weakness in the home health benefit by making occupational therapy a qualifying skilled service. OT is an essential service not only for patients, it also is a proven means to saving Medicare expenditures.” - Bill Dombi, President of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice

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