American Occupational Therapy Association

Ludica Health Launches LudoFit PRO, an Interactive Therapy Exercise Solution for Outpatient Clinics and Home Health

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 14, 2024
IPad, Mac, Patient, Skiing, Character, American Occupational Therapy Association, Microsoft Windows, Employment, Exercise, Osteoarthritis, Rehabilitation, Medical imaging

SEATTLE, March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Ludica Health, a leading provider of innovative technology solutions for physical rehabilitation is set to showcase LudoFit PRO, a new product for clinicians serving older adults, at the upcoming American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA Inspire) Expo in Orlando, Florida.

Key Points: 
  • With a commitment to providing accessible and affordable solutions for patients undergoing therapy, Ludica Health drives innovation in the field of rehabilitation, chronic disease management, and fall prevention.
  • Its latest solution, LudoFit PRO, is designed for clinicians working with patients in clinic and home settings.
  • LudoFit PRO can be downloaded onto Windows computers, Mac computers, or iPads, and no special equipment is needed.
  • I have to make myself do my PT exercises but I have no problems with wanting to go back to LudoFit.

CMS Includes the Patient Activation Measure in its Merit-Based Incentive Payment System Starting in 2024

Retrieved on: 
Friday, December 1, 2023
Health, Practice Management, Health Technology, Other Health, Health Insurance, Managed Care, General Health, Patient-centered outcomes, ANA, National Kidney Foundation, NKF, ASN, Organization, National Alliance, White, AHIP, Elective surgery, Kidney disease, ACC, American Society of Nephrology, American Academy, American Diabetes Association, Patient, American Occupational Therapy Association, PAM, University, American Nurses Association, American Academy of Neurology, CMS, Patient Activation Measure, AAOS, Doctor of Public Health, NAMI, Doctor of Philosophy, Medicare, Society, AAN, Mental disorder, MVP Arena, AOTA, Human, Nursing, MIPS, Phreesia

The Patient Activation Measure (PAM) measures a patient’s knowledge, skills and confidence to self-manage their health.

Key Points: 
  • The Patient Activation Measure (PAM) measures a patient’s knowledge, skills and confidence to self-manage their health.
  • Activated patients feel comfortable advocating for themselves and asking for support from their care team to manage their own health.
  • “It’s incredibly gratifying to see CMS include the Patient Activation Measure Performance Measure in its program as a high priority outcome measure.
  • “As a practice that uses the Patient Activation Measure and participates in MIPS, we're incredibly excited to see that PAM will be a MIPS measure going forward.

Brain Training Can be an Effective Tool in Occupational Therapy

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, October 4, 2023
Momentum, Cognition, Exercise, Life, Gait, Quality of life, American Occupational Therapy Foundation, Attention, Science, Occupational therapy, Medicare, Performance, SAN, Hearing, Person-centered therapy, Grammatical mood, Posit Science Corporation, Memory, American Occupational Therapy Association, Nursing

Dr Mahncke will review published studies showing the effectiveness of BrainHQ for improvement in many cognitive skills and everyday tasks that are the subject of occupational therapy.

Key Points: 
  • Dr Mahncke will review published studies showing the effectiveness of BrainHQ for improvement in many cognitive skills and everyday tasks that are the subject of occupational therapy.
  • “Occupational therapists are the medical frontline when it comes to the critical tasks of enabling people to participate successfully in activities of everyday life,” Dr. Mahncke observed.
  • “It’s an honor to speak with occupational therapists about how the science we’ve developed over the past 20 years can be an effective tool in their toolkits,” Dr. Mahncke added.
  • BrainHQ is now offered, without charge, by leading national and 5-star Medicare Advantage plans and by leading medical centers, clinics, and communities.

Joint Statement on Reform of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Small business, Medicare (United States), American Speech–Language–Hearing Association, MOT, Speech, Policy, Therapy, Medicare Part D, AOTA, PT, MBA, Private practice, American Occupational Therapy Association, Second Continental Congress, MACRA, Language, BCP, American Physical Therapy Association, Organization, Medicare, Occupational therapy, Congress, ASHA, Student, Patient, JD, OTR/L, APTA, Physical therapy, MPA, Health care, Health insurance, Nursing

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 21, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the American Occupational Therapy Association, American Physical Therapy Association, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and APTA Private Practice urged policymakers to address the unique challenges faced by therapy providers under the current Medicare Physician Fee Schedule system of payment. The organizations released a joint statement as the U.S. Congress begins to consider ways to reform the fee schedule.

Key Points: 
  • The organizations released a joint statement as the U.S. Congress begins to consider ways to reform the fee schedule.
  • Medicare payment reform is a top priority for our organizations as we continue to advocate for improved patient access, payment that reflects the value of therapy services, and sustainable updates to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
  • "Reforms to the Medicare fee schedule must address the unique challenges faced by therapy providers," said APTA President Roger Herr, PT, MPA.
  • "APTA Private Practice is proud of this coalition effort to present these policy suggestions to lawmakers as they begin to consider ways to reform the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

Legislation Introduced to Permanently Allow Access to Physical Therapist Services via Telehealth

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
Medicare (United States), CMS, American Speech–Language–Hearing Association, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Omnibus spending bill, Therapy, PT, Private practice, American Occupational Therapy Association, Medicare, American Physical Therapy Association, Congress, Student, Patient, APTA, PTAS, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, PTS, Pharmaceutical industry, Nursing

ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Physical Therapy Association supports new bipartisan legislation that would permanently allow physical therapist services delivered via telehealth to be covered under Medicare. The Expanded Telehealth Access Act (H.R. 3875), adds physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and other therapy providers in private practice, as well as facility-based outpatient therapy providers under Medicare Part B, as permanently authorized providers of telehealth under Medicare. The bill is endorsed by APTA, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the Alliance for Connected Care, and the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Key Points: 
  • ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 7, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Physical Therapy Association supports new bipartisan legislation that would permanently allow physical therapist services delivered via telehealth to be covered under Medicare.
  • 3875), adds physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and other therapy providers in private practice, as well as facility-based outpatient therapy providers under Medicare Part B, as permanently authorized providers of telehealth under Medicare.
  • "The use of telehealth during the pandemic helped ensure patient access to physical therapist services and provided an option for therapy clinics and their patients," said APTA President Roger Herr, PT, MPA.
  • The American Physical Therapy Association represents more than 100,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and physical therapy students nationwide.

HARMONIC BIONICS ANNOUNCES COMMERCIAL LAUNCH OF THE HARMONY SHR™ ROBOTIC REHABILITATION SYSTEM FOLLOWING FDA REGISTRATION

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Wearable, Stroke, Bionics, Mechanical engineering, AOTA, Rehabilitation, American Occupational Therapy Association, Ascending limb of loop of Henle, Assistant, Harmony, Auburn University, Occupational therapy, Patient, DSM-IV codes, Neuroplasticity, SHR, Robotics, FDA, Conference, Medical device, Nursing

AUSTIN, Texas, April 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rehabilitation robotics company Harmonic Bionics announced today that the company has registered their flagship exoskeleton Harmony SHR™ with the FDA as a Class II 510(k)-exempt device.

Key Points: 
  • AUSTIN, Texas, April 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rehabilitation robotics company Harmonic Bionics announced today that the company has registered their flagship exoskeleton Harmony SHR™ with the FDA as a Class II 510(k)-exempt device.
  • The Harmony SHR Robotic Rehabilitation System works with a patient's scapulohumeral rhythm (SHR) to enable natural, comprehensive therapy for both arms.
  • Harmonic Bionics will be demonstrating the Harmony SHR system later this week in booth 126 at AOTA Inspire, the largest occupational therapy conference in the country.
  • For more information on Harmonic Bionics and Harmony SHR, please visit www.harmonicbionics.com .

Melissa Smith Joins ATF Medical’s Adaptive Housing Team

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
Physical Therapy, Managed Care, Medical Devices, General Health, Professional Services, Interior Design, Architecture, People with Disabilities, Medical Supplies, Consumer, Residential Building & Real Estate, Construction & Property, Health, Insurance, Human Resources, Seniors, Finance, Psychology, University, OTS, Disability, Human services, Life, Multimedia, American Occupational Therapy Association, Puget Sound, United States v. Oregon, CAPS, Occupational therapy, Ageing, Hospital, ATF, Patient, CHAMP, OTR/L, Department of Human Services, Nursing

Melissa Smith, OTR/L, CAPS, ECHM, CHAMP recently joined ATF Medical as clinical specialist/adaptive housing.

Key Points: 
  • Melissa Smith, OTR/L, CAPS, ECHM, CHAMP recently joined ATF Medical as clinical specialist/adaptive housing.
  • In this role, Smith assesses injured workers and their homes and recommends ways to address barriers to accessibility, mobility and independence.
  • View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230412005088/en/
    Melissa Smith, OTR/L joins ATF Medical as clinical specialist/adaptive housing.
  • Smith is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the Occupational Association of Oregon.

Dysgraphia Life Launches a $250,000 Engagement Award Project to Promote Research

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 14, 2023
CER, Thomas Power, Caregiver, Science, Independent Payment Advisory Board, Learning disability, Learning, Dysgraphia, Student, Eugene Washington, PCORI, American Occupational Therapy Association, Comparative effectiveness research, American Occupational Therapy Foundation, Architect, Patient, Hospital, Nameplate capacity, Research, Health, Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, Reading, Parent, Congress, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Dyslexia, Johns Hopkins University, Philadelphia, DRS, Nursing

VIENNA, Va., Feb. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dysgraphia Life is launching a new project that was approved for a $250,000 award through the Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Awards program, an initiative of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). This project, Building Capacity for Patient Centered Outcomes Research in the Dysgraphia Community, will focus on building awareness, engagement, and research capacity for specific learning disability of written expression or dysgraphia.

Key Points: 
  • VIENNA, Va., Feb. 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Dysgraphia Life is launching a new project that was approved for a $250,000 award through the Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Awards program, an initiative of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI).
  • This project, Building Capacity for Patient Centered Outcomes Research in the Dysgraphia Community, will focus on building awareness, engagement, and research capacity for specific learning disability of written expression or dysgraphia.
  • "We are honored to have been selected by PCORI for funding of this important work," said Dr. Jennifer C. King, Founder and President of Dysgraphia Life.
  • People with dysgraphia need more research and clear evidence on what interventions and management strategies can best help them succeed."

With Less Than a Month for Congress to Act, Over One Million Physicians and Other Healthcare Clinicians Launch a Week of Action to Prevent Devastating Cuts to Medicare, Harming Patients

Retrieved on: 
Monday, December 5, 2022
American Medical Association, MOT, Speech, MACP, Audiology, American Speech–Language–Hearing Association, Language, JD, American Physical Therapy Association, FACS, Public affairs, ASHA, Internal medicine, BCS, Occupational therapy, Letter, Patient, COVID, Doctor of Education, Critical care, Congress of Neurological Surgeons, American Academy of Family Physicians, COVID-19, American College of Surgeons, Surgical Care Affiliates, American College of Radiology, FAAFP, Safety, Neurology, AMA, Hearing, Health, BCP, Congress, American Occupational Therapy Association, AOTA, Family medicine, MBA, American College of Physicians, Legislation, Medicare, Health insurance, Pharmaceutical industry, MD, MPH, Physician

The letter kicks off a Week of Action calling on congressional leaders to protect lifesaving and life-changing care for the nation's most vulnerable patients.

Key Points: 
  • The letter kicks off a Week of Action calling on congressional leaders to protect lifesaving and life-changing care for the nation's most vulnerable patients.
  • Any cuts, especially as we face the likely prospect of a "triple-demic" this winter, threaten health care access for seniors.
  • Congress needs to intervene promptly and stop the scheduled cuts to Medicare payments, as America's seniors and physicians deserve better."
  • These cuts threaten to eliminate access to occupational therapy services leading to devastating outcomes for Americans and the US healthcare system."

BEYOND THERAPY FOR KIDS OPENS BRANDON, MISS., OUTPATIENT CLINIC

Retrieved on: 
Monday, October 10, 2022
Occupational therapy, Smith, Clinic, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Association, Mississippi State University, Anatomical pathology, Multimedia, American Occupational Therapy Association, Pediatrics, University, Hospital, Medicine, Tupelo

BRANDON, Miss., Oct. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Beyond Therapy for Kids, which provides physical, occupational and speech therapy for children, opened an outpatient clinic today at 1476 W. Government St., Suite B.

Key Points: 
  • BRANDON, Miss., Oct. 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Beyond Therapy for Kids, which provides physical, occupational and speech therapy for children, opened an outpatient clinic today at 1476 W. Government St., Suite B.
  • The clinic operates 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and offers in-clinic and telehealth evaluations and visits.
  • Clinic director Kenley Smith earned a bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University and a master's degree in occupational therapy from the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
  • Beyond Therapy, which also has clinics in Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Meridian, Ridgeland and Tupelo,is part of the Upstream Rehabilitation family of clinical care.