AMRPA Publically Releases COVID-19 Special Issue of its Member Magazine
The Association reaffirms commitment to timely and industry-wide COVID-19 advocacy  

(WASHINGTON – April 30, 2020) – The American Medical Rehabilitation Providers Association (AMRPA) today published a COVID-19 special issue of its monthly magazine, which it made available to the public. This allows general access to the latest information on this health crisis and how it affects the field of inpatient medical rehabilitation, including hospitals and units, staff and patients.

The special issue features an overview of COVID-19 response legislation; an explanation of the financial relief for health care providers offered under the Trump Administration’s CARES Act; and an analysis of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) waiver of audit and appeals burdens.

In line with AMRPA’s mission to advance field of medical rehabilitation through both advocacy and education, the issue also includes articles by Kate A. Beller, JD, AMRPA’s executive vice president for policy development and government relations, on AMRPA’s COVID-19 advocacy efforts and technical assistance offered to members, and by Remy Kerr, MPH, AMRPA’s health policy and research manager, on its ongoing, free COVID-19 informational call series for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs) hosted by various industry thought leaders.

The issue opens with a statement from AMRPA Chair Robert Krug, MD, outlining the association’s dedication to ensure that IRFs are in the best position possible to continue operating effectively on the pandemic’s front lines: “AMRPA is working to ensure that policymakers understand both the current needs of IRFs in COVID-19 hotspots, as well as the industry-wide relief that will be required to meet the long-term rehabilitation needs of COVID-19 patients.”

Recognizing the efforts of AMRPA members, Dr. Krug goes on to say, “our members are to be applauded for putting patients first and doing what is needed for their communities to address the crisis. While this will undoubtedly be a challenging time for our members, I also believe that IRFs have and will continue to distinguish their critical role in the post-acute care sector through our response efforts.”

In addition to COVID-19-specific updates, this issue of AMRPA Magazine also includes regulatory updates, including a preliminary look at CMS’ proposed FY 2021 IRF PPS rule, and another entry in its Patient Success Stories, “From Tragedy to Triumph,” covering the journeys to recovery of two quadruple amputees.

The AMRPA Magazine COVID-19 Special Issue is available here.

The Association has also created and maintains this dedicated COVID-19 resource center on its website.