APTA Oregon - News & Information

 

 

Meet the 2021 Award Winners

 

Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Update to CMS Payment Calculations Further Eases Impact of Cut

The new conversion factor released by CMS helps to offset the impact of fee schedule reductions for PT providers

What began as a projected 9% cut in payment to PTs under Medicare and was later reduced to an estimated 3.6% cut may be whittled down even further thanks to a recently announced change to how payment is calculated. The change comes by way of an adjustment to the conversion factor, the multiplier applied to relative value units to determine Medicare Part B payment amounts. That figure changed from CMS' planned $32.41 (precise number: $32.4085) rate to $34.89 ($34.8931) for 2021.

The new conversion factor is still a drop from the 2020 conversion factor of $36.09 ($36.0896), but one that's far less severe than originally approved — a 3.32% decrease compared with the 10.2% reduction in the final fee schedule.

The result: The smaller cut, coupled with targeted provisions in a spending and COVID-19 relief bill enacted in late December, will help to blunt the effects of changes adopted by CMS that threatened to reduce physical therapy payment by an estimated 9%. Even before factoring in the changes to the conversion factor, the congressional action reduced the effects of the cuts from 9% to an estimated 3.6% for PTs.

How It Works Out for Payment

In some coding situations, the combination of factors may result in cuts less than the estimated 3.6%. For example, payment for therapeutic exercise (CPT code 97110) will drop by an average of 3.3%, from $31.40 in 2020 to $30.36 this year, with manual therapy (97140) seeing a similar percentage decrease, from $28.87 in 2020 to $27.91 in 2021. Neuromuscular reeducation (97112) drops by 2.35% (from $36.09 to $35.34), while CPT code 97530, for therapeutic activities, sees a 2.45% decrease from its 2020 level of $40.42 to $39.43 in 2021.

In a few instances, the new payment levels could even result in slight increases, particularly for PTs conducting an evaluation or reevaluation. For example, in 2020, use of evaluation CPT codes 97161-97163 resulted in a payment of $87.70; that payment increases to $101.89 in 2021. Similarly, payment for reevaluation CPT code 97164 will also increase this year, from $60.30 in 2020 to $69.79. (Note: actual amounts vary by locality).

Increases to the office/outpatient evaluation and management visit codes billed by primary care and some specialty physicians were at the heart of payment cuts to some three dozen professions that CMS says it was forced to implement to maintain budget neutrality. The CMS plan sparked an intensive advocacy effort at both the agency level and on Capitol hill, including historic levels of participation from APTA members and supporters fighting the cuts.

Cuts Still "Unsustainable"

While the new conversion factor is good news for PTs, the damage inflicted by CMS remains — and must be addressed, according to Kara Gainer, APTA's director of regulatory affairs.

"The updated conversion factor and COVID relief provisions helped us partially dig out of the hole we were put in by CMS, but even with those wins, we're still facing cuts that are simply unsustainable and damaging to patient access to needed care," Gainer said. "We need not only to continue to advocate for more relief, but also to engage in a serious dialogue about whether the current physician fee schedule system is an antiquated response to the current demands of our health care environment."

The new conversion factor will be integrated into the 2021 version of APTA's Fee Schedule Calculator. Those changes should be loaded into the system in the coming weeks. APTA will share news of the updated calculator when it's available.


URGENT: Call Your Members of Congress NOW to Prevent Medicare Cuts

As the end of 2020 nears, we need your help now more than ever to fight the proposed 9% cut to physical therapy services under Medicare and make sure it does not go into effect on January 1, 2021. We need you to take a few minutes and call your members of Congress today and ask them to urge congressional leadership to include H.R. 8702, a bill introduced by Rep. Bera (D-CA) and Rep. Bucshon (R-IN), in critical upcoming end-of-year legislation.

Step One: The Ask

The ask for your members of Congress is to speak to party and committee leadership on the Medicare cut. This will be different based on the chamber and party of your legislators. Please be mindful of who you’re talking to and amend your ask accordingly. Please respond to this email if you have any questions or would like any guidance.

  • If your Representative is a Republican, request that they speak to Rep. McCarthy, Rep. Brady, and Rep. Walden
  • If your Representative is a Democrat, request that they speak to Speaker Pelosi, Rep. Neal, and Rep. Pallone
  • If your Senator is a Republican, request that they speak to Sen. McConnell and Sen. Grassley   
  • If your Senator is a Democrat, request that they speak to Sen. Schumer and Sen. Wyden

Step Two: Call Your Members of Congress

Your Legislator Contact Information

  • House: Congressman Greg Walden (202) 225-6730
  • Senate 1: Senator Ron Wyden (202) 224-5244
  • Senate 2: Senator Jeff Merkley (202) 224-3753

Step Three: Call Script (please be mindful of the capitalized areas, where you need to customize based on the office you are speaking with).

Hello! My name is YOUR NAME from YOUR CITY AND STATE. I would greatly appreciate your help if YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS could please urge RELEVANT CHAMBER AND PARTY LEADERSHIP to incorporate H.R. 8702 in the upcoming continuing resolution or any legislation moving through Congress during the lame duck session in order to prevent further damage and instability during this difficult time for patients and providers.

ADD IN A TWO-SENTENCE PERSONAL STORY ON HOW THE CUTS WOULD IMPACT YOU/YOUR BUSINESS/YOUR PATIENTS

I appreciate your work and thank you for your time today.

END OF CALL SCRIPT

We appreciate your help and resilience as we continue to #FightTheCut. We are so grateful for your advocacy on this issue that would have far-reaching and long-term repercussions to the profession and the patients we serve.


Students Step Up to A Challenge Like No Other
By: Carolyn Schmitz, SPT, Theresa Grimes, SPT

This is a time truly unlike any other. The COVID-19 crisis has created extreme challenges for all of us in the physical therapy community, both personally and professionally.

Over the past 30 years, more than 300 schools and thousands of PT and PTA students have participated in the Marquette Challenge – an annual student-led fundraiser that benefits the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research (FPTR).  Over the years, the Marquette Challenge has raised more than $4.3 million for research. FPTR depends on these funds to award grants, scholarships, and fellowships.

Like many nonprofits, FPTR has been affected by the health crisis and economic disruptions. These disruptions also impacted the 2019-2020 VCU-Marquette Challenge, which was suspended when campuses moved to distance learning. The Challenge is FPTR’s largest annual fundraising effort representing 30% of the overall fundraising budget. Due to the suspension of this year’s Challenge, FPTR faces a budget shortfall.  

Today, student fundraisers are more important to FPTR’s mission than ever. Though this year will be different, we are asking students to rise to "A Challenge Like No Other” in our times.  I hope you will connect with physical therapy research in a meaningful way by fundraising for the 2020-2021 VCU- Marquette Challenge.

PT/PTA students and faculty have been staunch supporters of FPTR, and every donation is critical to the success of the Challenge. Over the years, the Foundation has funded 13 researchers from the state of Oregon. FPTR remains appreciative of the commitment of PT and PTA students from Oregon in supporting physical therapy research.

Please join me and other students in supporting the 2020-2021 VCU-Marquette Challenge “A Challenge Like No Other”

Faculty and students in the state of Oregon are encouraged to visit the Marquette Challenge website at marquettechallenge.com to learn how they can support FPTR and physical therapy research through the 2020-2021 VCU-Marquette Challenge.  Or, they can go directly to FPTR’s giving tool and create an online fundraising page.

About the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research

The Foundation for Physical Therapy Research was established in 1979 as the only national, independent nonprofit organization solely dedicated to funding physical therapy research. Since its inception, FPTR has awarded more than $19 million in research grants, fellowships, and scholarships to more than 640 promising researchers. Many of today’s leading physical therapy researchers, clinicians, and academicians began their careers with this support. Foundation-funded researchers have gone on to secure more than $845 million in follow-on funding. 

www.foundation4pt.org/donate


From: Matthew Weston
Director of Rehabilitation
Portland Timbers

Hello Everyone!  I am running this fundraising effort as my way of giving back to Be The Match and to help further their mission.  I have been growing out my hair since the end of last season and will be cutting it off for this fundraiser after the Major League Soccer Finals on December 12th. I will be donating my hair to Locks of Love, another organization I encourage you to look into and support.

My goal is to raise $3000 before December 12th, and I will be providing updates on the progress (financially and hair-wise) via social media over the next 2 months.

Read More

On Wednesday, September 2nd, Center for Medicare Services (CMS) announced that they decided to reverse their position on the 59 modifier and code pairing restrictions and reinstate their use starting October 1st, 2020. Firm advocacy against this policy was helpful in reversing this same ruling in April, 2020, which the APTA and other healthcare associations played a large role in. Time appears to be repeating itself as CMS did not include these rulings in paperwork sent to healthcare associations across the country, leaving no time for edits, now a second time. For example, with this new policy, CMS will not pay for manual therapy (97140) when billed on the same day as an evaluation unless it is billed with the 59 modifier. This is clearly another barrier to practice and reimbursement and as with many CMS rulings, this poor healthcare policy is likely to reach outside of just CMS. 

For the APTA's full announcement and breakdown, please click here

For an infographic on how to properly use the 59 modifier, please click here

Interested in advocating for yourself and your patients, family and friends? Sign up for the APTA's Advocacy Network as an APTA member below.

OR, attend a Government Affairs Committee meeting and get plugged in!

Physical Therapy: Gateway to Adventure, Independence, and Community

Read about APTA Oregon Board Vice President, Carol-Ann Nelson, in this article on APTA's Choose PT website!

September 3, 2020
When physical therapist Carol-Ann Nelson moved back to her native Oregon after spending several years on the East Coast, she looked for a way to help people with neurologic conditions and chronic diseases enjoy and benefit from the wonderful outdoor spaces in which she'd grown up. The result: Destination Rehab — a hub of adventure, independence, and community that welcomes participants ages 18 to 90+ years.

Continue Reading

State of Oregon announces telehealth agreement for health insurance plans

June 23, 2020

Salem, OR—The State of Oregon has reached an agreement with several health insurance companies to continue providing expanded telehealth options through at least Dec. 31, 2020.

“Throughout this pandemic, telehealth has provided Oregonians with essential access to health care services that otherwise might have been unavailable or required the risk of an in-person appointment,” said Gov. Kate Brown. “It has transformed how many people have accessed behavioral health services. I’d like to thank Oregon’s insurers for partnering with us in this agreement, which gives us the opportunity and the time to develop more permanent telehealth policies with appropriate flexibilities during the 2021 session.”

The agreement follows guidance issued by the Department of Consumer and Business Services and the Oregon Health Authority Telehealth Guidance pdf in late March requiring health insurance plans of all types to provide coverage for multiple telehealth platforms at the same rate as an in-person visit to limit in-person health care services.

This means health insurance companies will continue to provide coverage for expanded telehealth services for Oregonians and pay for these services at the rates they established during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our health insurance companies continue to step up. This agreement is an important one for our state,” said Andrew Stolfi, insurance commissioner and acting director of DCBS. “It means Oregonians can get the critical health care services they need, and providers will continue to get paid for providing this important care, while we all work together to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.”

The following insurance companies have agreed to provide expanded telehealth services through the end of the year:

  • Bridgespan
  • PacificSource
  • Cigna
  • Providence
  • Health Net
  • Regence
  • Kaiser Permanente
  • Samaritan
  • Moda
  • United Healthcare

In addition to these companies, the Oregon Health Plan will continue to offer pay parity and other allowances for many telehealth services, offering the same rate as an in-person visit for physical health services, behavioral health services, and some dental and long-term care services.

It is important to note that this agreement does not apply to self-insured plans. The state encourages self-insured plans to cover expanded telehealth services for members. These are plans in which an employer assumes the financial risk of providing health care benefits to its employees. Oregonians who have a self-insured plan should check with their employer about their coverage options.

Oregonians are encouraged to contact their insurance company or health care provider if they have questions about using telehealth services.

Visit the Division of Financial Regulation’s COVID-19 telehealth page for frequently asked questions and additional information. For more information on insurance and financial topics, visit the COVID-19 consumer site.

For up-to-date information and resources on COVID-19, visit the Oregon Health Authority COVID-19 site.

If you have questions about an insurance company or agent or need to file a complaint call the Division of Financial Regulation’s advocacy team at 888-877-4894 (toll-free) or email [email protected]

###

About DCBS: The Department of Consumer and Business Services is Oregon's largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. For more information, visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov

About Oregon DFR: The Division of Financial Regulation is part of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, Oregon’s largest business regulatory and consumer protection agency. Visit www.dcbs.oregon.gov and http://dfr.oregon.gov/Pages/index.aspx

Contact information:
Brad Hilliard
503-947-7873
[email protected]

Click here for more information.


A Letter to Our Community

June 19, 2020

To the Members of APTA Oregon and Our Community,

We are deeply saddened by the recent killings of Mr. Rayshard Brooks, Mr. George Floyd, Mr. Ahmaud Arbery, and Ms. Breonna Taylor. Black lives matter, and the freedom to breathe, run, or sleep should not be impacted by class, ethnicity, or race.

APTA President, Sharon Dunn, captured our organization’s collective feelings about racism and our responsibility to address it: "There is nothing healthy about racism. It is a disease of the heart and mind that has infected not just people, but customs, systems, and laws. There is no vaccine. We must be the cure."

Oregon is far from being a cure. Racism runs deep in Oregon, including historical bans on black settlers, black suffrage, interracial marriage, and open support from leaders in government for the Ku Klux Klan. Racism and discrimination exist in our government and in our society: in legislation, in policy, and in practices in that create unequal access to representation, resources, and opportunity for Black and minority communities around our state.

While our chapter has recently made some gains in education and outreach through our Cultural and Minority Affairs (CMA) Committee, we’ve got a lot of room for improvement in becoming inclusive and responsive to the needs of our diverse communities. We recognize that each member and prospective member has unique experiences and perspectives on race and social justice, and offer these suggestions to put our ideals and our knowledge into action:

  1. Follow the Cultural and Minority Affairs FaceBook page for national and regional resources on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and opportunities to actively engage in advocacy.
  2. Visit the APTA webpage on diversity, equity and inclusion.
  3. Attend an Oregon chapter continuing education workshop on issues related to diversity and cultural responsiveness.
  4. Explore advocacy opportunities within APTA. Two great resources are APTA Engage, and APTA Advocacy Involvement.
  5. Contribute to the APTA Campaign for Future Generations, which supports the APTA Minority Scholarship Fund, and the Dimensions of Diversity Fund.
  6. Practice and promote the use of culturally inclusive images representing patients and health care providers at your workplace.
  7. Be proactive in recruiting and hiring practitioners with diverse racial, ethnic, gender and sexuality, religious, and cultural backgrounds.
  8. Develop and expand opportunities for elementary, middle, and high school students from minority and underserved communities to learn about physical therapy and careers as a physical therapist and physical therapist assistant.
  9. Seek out and volunteer with organizations that support and sustain minority and underserved communities. APTA can help.
  10. Dedicate time to educating yourself and your community by seeking out books, classes, and other community resources.

If you have suggestions, or want to be more involved in the Oregon chapter’s advocacy efforts, contact [email protected] to connect and share your interest. If you would like to connect with one of our CMA committee members, or want to share your thoughts and comments about our efforts to advance diversity and inclusion, please contact CMA Chair, Talina Corvus, at [email protected].

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we welcome your ideas, involvement, and resolve to be better together.

Christina Howard, PT, MPT
President

Talina Corvus, PT, DPT, ACEEAA, LMT,
Board Certified Geriatric Clinical Specialist
Chair, Cultural and Minority Affairs Committee


Member Led Initiative Grant Update

Dear Carol-Ann and MLI Grant Committee,

Thank you again for providing funding to help support our project. We have the following updates to share with you:

The OSU engineering student-lead team has been test-driving the platform at OSU’s Prototype Development Lab (see photo). We originally planned for delivering it to Portland Public Schools PTs in mid March. Although schools have been closed by the governor’s mandate due to COVID-19, OSU students are continuing to work on the platform remotely to get it fully functional and ready for data collection when PPS students and staff return. This is anticipated for fall 2020.

We also wanted to share that Kate Stribling, PT, DPT with Portland Public Schools and Dr. John Parmigiani, professor of mechanical engineering at OSU, presented information about this project as a poster at the 36th International Seating Symposium in Vancouver, BC. An abstract of our poster, “Teamwork makes the dream work: How engineering and therapist partnerships can help solve everyday mobility challenges,” was published as part of the conference syllabus.

Thanks again for your support and we look forward to reporting our continued work on this project.

Sincerely,
Kate Stribling, PT, DPT, PCS
Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy, Portland Public Schools

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020

Don't forget to use the CQ modifier if more than 10% of a service is furnished by a PTA.

TRICARE, the health insurance system used throughout the military, announced that it has officially revised its policy manual to recognize PTAs (and occupational therapy assistants) as authorized providers, outlining the rules and requirements governing assistant qualifications, scope of practice, supervision, and reimbursement.

Now it's up to TRICARE contractors to do the same within approximately 30 days.

As reported earlier, beginning with date of service on April 16, PTAs are recognized as authorized providers under TRICARE and thus eligible for reimbursement for covered services rendered to TRICARE beneficiaries.

Take note: The CQ modifier must be appended to the claim when more than 10% of an outpatient physical therapy service is furnished by the PTA. Check out APTA’s Quick Guide to Using the PTA Modifier.

The presence of the modifier shouldn't impact claims processing. However, if claims are denied, they may need to be resubmitted if the claims are sent to contractors before they fully implement the change.

http://www.apta.org/PTinMotion/News/2020/04/22/TRICAREManualUpdatePTAs/


2020 Student Leadership Committee Announced

George Fox University - Lindsey Wallace, SPT, BSPT (Chief Liaison)

Mt. Hood Community College - Jason Warman, SPTA

Pacific University - Sydney Neumann, SPT

Lane Community College - Michelle Spindler, SPTA

Core Ambassador (Pacific University) - Sydney Neumann, SPT

*****

Conference Scholarship Winners Announced

Jessica Thiel
John Story
Sydney Neumann

Sharna Prasad, PT, DPT featured on APTA Podcast

 

OPTA Member Sharna Prasad reads an essay she wrote entitled "Growing Pains" on APTA's Defining Moments Podcast.

Self-reflection makes a path clear. Listen here! 

 

 


 Mackenzie Van Loo, PT, DPT announced as Oregon's APTA Federal Affairs Liaison

As Federal Affairs Liaison Mackenzie Van Loo, PT, DPT will work with OPTA members to provide grassroots input to APTA's government affairs staff. In this role, she will also steward relationships with Oregon's US Senators and US Representatives, which includes facilitating practice visits from Members of Congress.

She joins 50 other volunteer leaders from across the country who will communicate and relay legislative and regulatory information to the membership and coordinate policy development and identification of emerging issues. Mackenzie serves on our Government Affairs Committee and Awards and Recognition Committee, and has demonstrated leadership, accountability, and a strong willingness to serve the profession. Thank you, Mackenzie!

 OPTA Newsletter

Take a look at our OPTA Oregon Log newsletter - mailed in October to all physical therapy professionals in Oregon!

Read the October Oregon Log

 


Oregon Pain Summit

Please join us for the 2nd Annual Oregon Pain Summit
"On the Cutting Edge of the Science of Pain"
January 24-26, 2020
Lebanon, Oregon
More information coming soon!

 


2019 APTA House of Delegates Experience
Ryann Lewis, SPT

I had the honor of being awarded a great opportunity to travel to Chicago with the Oregon Delegation to attend the 2019 APTA House of Delegates meeting. It was explained to me repeatedly that this meeting was different from years previous due to the sheer volume of motions to be discussed and organizational revamping with round table discussions. Normally, there are approximately twenty-five motions and this year there were seventy! I had the opportunity to join in on one of the round table discussion as note taker for an Oregon crafted motion related to a joint core values document for the PT and PTA.

Besides taking part in the round table discussions and crafting a summary, I was able to attend the House of Delegates (HOD) meeting in the gallery with others of the delegation and the PTA student nominee, Emily Barron. During the HOD, opposing positions were heard on the majority of motions that did not make it on to the consent calendar. It was refreshing to hear constructive debate and varying points of view. Some of the most discussed debated topics were the motions relating to levels of supervision, opposition to physician owned services, and the public health crisis of firearms‐related injuries and deaths. All motions discussed had a goal of adopting new language to allow for clearer and more updated verbiage that will assist in guiding future legislative advocacy.

As a student, this meeting showed me the big picture scope of outward focus that the APTA has as an association of healthcare providers and how we have affected the mission statement to “improve the human experience.” There were motions that addressed numerous aspects of patient centered care, not just in the clinic, but as well with multifaceted focuses for community, national multidisciplinary healthcare, access to services among others. Motion discussions and debate where not just to support, charge, or to rescind topics that applied to just on entity of physical therapy. The focus was on physical therapy practice as a whole for private practice, acute care, emergency departments, and privately-owned PT clinics.

One such motion was the one I mentioned earlier, crafted by Oregon, was the joint core values document for the PT and PTA. The chief delegate for Oregon, Michael Pagliarulo, stated to the opposition that it was the “right motion at the right time in a different era” where it is a service to society to construct this singular document to show a unified front so that it applies universally to all members of the association and not exclusive to the PT. The PTA caucus stated in support that this motion is a “pillar that will support and guide the future success” of each member and nonmember, saying “we all represent physical therapy.” The student caucus chief delegate, Kate Zenker, also spoke eloquently in support saying that the document would inspire actions at every level and all members of the profession. However, the Florida delegation spoke in opposition of the motion due to the need for delineation of core values verses behaviors of the PT and PTA. They agreed with the shared set of values but attempting to perfect the language to discuss more next year to address the behavioral terms. In the end the motion as written was passed with a silent majority in the house much to the delight of Oregon and all of the motion’s co-sponsors!

There was so much information discussed that it was a whirlwind to take in for a first timer, but I enjoyed every second of it. This event showed me what we as a unified profession can do to encourage change and advocate for legislation that will affect members and nonmembers. This meeting inspired me to continue my involvement within the APTA and seek leadership opportunities to continue the forward progress that has been made. I want to thank everyone in the Oregon delegation for their support, patience, inclusion, and encouragement. As OPTA PTA Representative Jeannie Thompson encouraged me to apply for this opportunity, I would love to encourage my other fellow classmates to say ‘yes’ and see where these opportunities may take you.


OPTA at the 2019 House of Delegates in Chicago!

OPTA's members are working hard at the House of Delegates!  IPTA 50th Anniversary is a highlight this year.

 

 Oregon Crew at HOD

 

Oregon PTA's

PTA is 50!


 

OPTA Member Tabitha Galindo Receives the Mary McMillan Scholarship Award for Student Physical Therapists

OPTA student member Tabitha Galindo has been selected by APTA's Board of Directors to receive the Mary McMillan Scholarship Award for Student Physical Therapists.  Tabitha has been very involved in OPTA student leadership as well as the PT Day of Service. She has also taken an active role in our Membership committee.  Tabitha will be recognized at the Honors and Awards Ceremony at the NEXT Conference and Exposition in Chicago, Illinois in June. Congratulations Tabitha!


 

OPTA Member to Speak at the Harvard Business School Dynamic Women in Business Conference

OPTA member Carol-Ann Nelson, PT, DPT, Current OPTA Vice-President, will be presenting at the Harvard Business School Dynamic Women in Business Conference on February 23, 2019 on "Diversity in the Great Outdoors".   Click here for more information.


 

OPTA National Speakers and Award Winners at CSM 2019

CSM presentations from our members reached an audience of over 16,000 physical therapists and physical therapist assistants across a range of topics, including promoting scholarship, applying clinical outcomes to practice, advancing approaches in sports rehabilitation and injury prevention, and meaningful clinical workforce preparation.
  • Mike Billings, speaker, Health Policy & Administration
  • Erin Bompiani, speaker, Academy of Pediatric Physical Therapy
  • Jason Brumitt, speaker, Sports Physical Therapy Section
  • Derek Fenwick, speaker, Health Policy & Administration
  • Susan Gilio, award winner, Section on Women’s Health
  • Fay Horak, speaker, Section on Research
  • Jeff Houck, speaker, Section on Research, Health & Policy Administration
  • Sandi Gallagher, award winner, Section on Women’s Health
  • Talina Corvus-Marshall, award winner, Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy
  • Scot Morrison, speaker, Sports Physical Therapy Section
  • Amanda Olson, award winner, Section on Women’s Health
  • Megan Roos, speaker, Health Policy & Administration
Click Here to submit a CSM 2020 Proposal

Talina Corvus, PT, DPT selected as a 2019 award recipient of the Academy of Geriatric Physical Therapy in the Adopt-A-Doc category!

Congratulations Talina!


 

Congratulations to the 2019 OPTA Emerging Student Leader Award Recipients!

SPT  - Ryann Lewis

SPTA - Emily Barron

 

 

A survey of physical therapists’ attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors regarding diagnostic imaging

Thank you for your interest in our study.

This survey is sponsored by the Imaging Special Interest Group of the Academy of Orthopaedic Physical Therapy.
The purpose of this survey is to understand physical therapists’ attitude, knowledge, use, and ordering of diagnostic imaging related to their practice.

This survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Your participation in this survey is voluntary. You may refuse to take part in the research or exit the survey at any time without penalty. You are free to decline to answer any particular question you do not wish to answer for any reason. All your responses will be confidential.

This study has been ruled exempt by the University of Washington Human Subjects Division.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Sean Rundell, DPT, PhD ([email protected]) and George J Beneck, PT, PhD, OCS, KEMG ([email protected])

By clicking on the survey link you indicate that:

  • This study has been explained to you, and you have read and understood the above information.
  • You volunteer to take part in this research
  • You are 18 years of age or older
  • You are licensed as a physical therapist in the United States

Thank you for your time.

https://redcap.iths.org/surveys/?s=YFCE8MEWL9

 


APTA Awards Submissions Being Accepted NOW!

APTA is currently accepting awards submissions for the Outstanding Physical Therapist Assistant Award and the Outstanding Physical Therapist / Physical Therapist Assistant Team Awards.

 The Outstanding Physical Therapist Assistant Award recognizes a physical therapist assistant who has provided clinical services for a minimum of 5 years. This award honors  individual achievements in the areas of patient care, community service, and commitment toward the profession and association.

 The Outstanding Physical Therapist/Physical Therapist Assistant Team Award honors professionals who have individually provided clinical service for a minimum of 5 years, and have positively affected the quality of physical therapy through their combined teamwork during a period of at least 3 years. This award recognizes a PT/PTA team whose positive work has contributed to the delivery of high-quality physical therapist services.

The application process is now closed.

  

 

OPTA Participates in the 2018 PT Day of Service

 

 

Bethany Lukens Selected as 2018 Recipient of the APTA Emerging Leader Award!
The APTA Emerging Leader Award was established to annually honor individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary service to the profession and APTA early in their careers.  Bethany was recognized by the local Oregon Chapter as an individual who has made exceptional overall accomplishments and contributions to the Association, the chapter, and to the physical therapy profession.  Thank you for all your efforts Bethany!

 

Congratulations to OPTA's Adama Sanou!
On April 4, 2018, APTA announced its 2018 Honors and Awards Program recipients, and Adama Sanou, SPTA, was selected by the APTA's Board of Directors to receive the Minority Scholarship Award for Student Physical Therapist Assistants.  Great job on your achievement Adama!

 

OPTA's Keaton Ray Discusses Igniting Speech at NSC 2017 in Oregon


OPTA Awarded National Grant To Advance Quality Of Life And Evidence Based Practice For Seniors Living With Arthritis

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACCD) selected OPTA as one of three national grant recipients to increase awareness and implementation of the Walk With Ease (WWE) self-directed intervention program for arthritis management. OPTA expects to reach out to and enroll over 400 seniors from a variety of independent community and supported care settings in WWE in 2018.

“This grant will support a strong collaboration between physical therapists, health systems, community programs, and residential centers that will assist in improving the quality of life for older adults affected by joint pain and arthritis”, says Jose L. Reyna, PT, DPT, principal OPTA grantee.

Coordinated efforts with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Oregon Arthritis Program, Pacific University’s School of Physical Therapy, and Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Services’ Walk With Ease program is expected to improve physical therapist and primary care awareness of the WWE program. “The NACDD grant will help the OPTA and state agencies to assess strengths and collaborative opportunities for advancing WWE outreach and implementation, and create a sustainability plan for ongoing access, resources, and funding”, says Reyna. “Ultimately, OPTA, OHA and OSU want to advance best practices to improve mobility and the quality of life for seniors affected by arthritis, and the NACCD grant provides us the funding to make positive changes in our community’s health awareness.”

To get involved contact OPTA member Jose Reyna, DPT, PT at [email protected]