I am contacting you in regards to H.R. 4755:  Access to Inpatient Rehabilitation Therapy Act of 2014.  As a recreational therapist and a constituent in Ohio District 3, H.R. 4755 is very important to me.  The purpose of this act is to restore reliance on the professional judgment of the treating physician and the rehabilitation team when determining whether a Medicare patient meets the intensity of therapy requirement of an inpatient rehabilitation hospital or unit in order for that patient to gain access to the appropriate mix of medically necessary therapeutic rehabilitation services in that setting, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and, as needed, speech therapy, orthotics and prosthetics, and recreational therapy.

Specifically, the bill adds the following new paragraph to the end of Section 1886(j) of the Social Security Act:

“(9) Including Recreational Therapy among the therapy modalities that constitute an intensive rehabilitation therapy program in a rehabilitation facility. – The Secretary shall include recreational therapy services among the therapeutic modalities that constitute an intensive rehabilitation program in determining (pursuant to applicable regulations) whether inpatient services in a rehabilitation facility are reasonable and necessary under section 1862(a)(1)(A).”.

Several organizations have joined this coalition in supporting this amendment including:  American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association; American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists; American Therapeutic Recreation Association; Brain Injury Association of America; CARF, International (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities); Council on Brain Injury and United Spinal Association.

I am requesting your support of H.R. 4755 and ask you to sign on as a co-sponsor.  You can contact Matt Brennen (202) 225-5121 in Congressman Thompson’s office or Saul Hernandez (202) 225-3101 in Congressman Butterfield’s office.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or need additional information.  I will follow up with your regarding your decision on supporting H.R. 4755 in the near future.

Todd Blind, CTRS

420 Stanley Ave.

Columbus, Oh 43206