Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 2225
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Health
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-09: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-12T11:03:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act of 2025 aims to ensure continuity of outpatient physical therapy services under Medicare by allowing physical therapists to use temporary substitute arrangements, preventing service disruptions due to absences like vacations or illnesses.
Key Provisions
- Amends Section 1842(b)(6) of the Social Security Act (which governs Medicare payments) to include physical therapists in locum tenens rules.
- Locum tenens refers to a billing arrangement where a temporary substitute provider (locum tenens) fills in for a regular provider; Medicare reimburses as if the regular provider delivered the service, avoiding payment gaps.
- Applies specifically to outpatient physical therapy services furnished by physical therapists.
- Effective for services provided after the date of enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands locum tenens eligibility, which previously applied only to certain providers like physicians, to now include physical therapists.
- Modifies the existing Medicare payment statute by inserting language that treats physical therapy services under subparagraph (D) of the relevant section in the same way as physicians' services.
Potential Impacts
- On citizens: Medicare beneficiaries receiving physical therapy may experience fewer interruptions in care, improving access to rehabilitation services without billing complications for providers.
- On government agencies: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will need to update billing and reimbursement guidelines to accommodate physical therapists, potentially increasing administrative workload but streamlining payments.
- No direct impact on international relations, as this is a domestic healthcare policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Physical therapists: Gain flexibility to use substitutes, reducing financial risks during absences.
- Medicare beneficiaries: Primarily older adults or disabled individuals relying on physical therapy for recovery and mobility.
- Healthcare facilities: Clinics and practices offering outpatient therapy benefit from uninterrupted service delivery and billing.
- CMS and federal government: Responsible for implementing and overseeing the expanded reimbursement rules.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Aligns with Medicare's goal of efficient healthcare delivery under Title XVIII; no apparent conflicts with existing federal law, but may require CMS rulemaking for clarification.
- Constitutional: No significant implications, as it involves congressional authority over social welfare programs like Medicare.
- Political: Bipartisan support (introduced by senators from both parties) suggests broad appeal in addressing healthcare access; could influence future expansions of provider flexibilities in Medicare without major fiscal controversy, as it maintains current payment structures.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (11)
Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR], Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND], Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-09: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 2025-07-09: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Prevent Interruptions in Physical Therapy Act of 2025 — issued 2025-07-09 — PDF (2 pages)