At AMRPA, we are working tirelessly to advance the field of medical rehabilitation through advocacy, education, and the promotion of access to care. In 2022, AMRPA launched a number of new policy and operational initiatives and scored a number of victories for members through robust engagement with the Administration and Congressional leaders. In Congress, AMRPA advocated for changes to coverage and reimbursement policies to ensure patient access to inpatient rehabilitation and worked actively to advance bills that align with AMRPA’s policy agenda.
Furthermore, as the association’s membership grows, AMRPA continually identifies and fosters Congressional relationships that correlate with our expanding national presence, which ensures that AMRPA continues to be the leading policy voice for inpatient rehabilitation. On the regulatory side, AMRPA engaged extensively with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and other senior Administration officials in efforts to both champion AMRPA’s regulatory priorities as well as successfully oppose potential policy threats. AMRPA will continue these and other efforts as the post-acute care landscape continues to rapidly evolve.
The AMRPA communications and marketing program aligns with the strategic goal of positioning the association as the leading authority and voice for the field, as well as a vehicle to get information and resources to the consumer audience. AMRPA’s operational and education programs have established the association as the premier source of professional development for the IRF field. Looking ahead, 2023 promises to present new legislative and regulatory challenges as well as opportunities to move the IRF field forward. Your continued AMRPA membership is valued and appreciated.
Below is a sample of AMRPA’s accomplishments in 2022:
- Released a compelling nationwide report on Medicare Advantage prior authorization practices for IRF admissions and helped garner policymaker attention on reform efforts through 2022
- Advocated for refinements to CMS’ proposed IRF Review Choice Demonstration and continued to secure a delay of the demonstration’s implementation
- Continued successful engagement with post-acute care partner organizations to jointly advocate on issues ranging from post-acute care payment reform efforts to prior authorization reform
- Worked closely with the FAIR Fund to help relief from egregious auditing practices facing the field
- Engaged with HHS OIG to take part in a 2022-2024 review of IRF auditing practices by government contractors
- Successfully advocated for CMS to address unplanned discharges with new items without skip logic on IRF-PAI version 4.0.
- Successfully nominated AMRPA to serve on the National Quality Forum’s Measures Application Partnership Post-Acute Care/Long-Term Care Workgroup
- Partnered with allied organizations to secure relief from CY 2022 physician and outpatient therapy payment reductions
- Launched a new Health Equity Workgroup tasked with ensuring legislative, regulatory, and association-specific proposals promote equity in the rehabilitation space
- Continued to promote the Medical Rehabilitation Management Certification program designed to support new leaders and promote consistency and professionalism in rehabilitation management. Now in its second year, there are over 150 individuals who have received the Medical Rehabilitation Management Certification!
- As part of AMRPA’s marketing campaign titled, The Power of Medical Rehab, AMRPA created and published a dozen infographics, fact sheets, and videos to highlight important information about medical rehabilitation hospitals and units, and why they may be your best choice for post-acute care after an illness or injury.
- Launched the second season of our award winning podcast, Medical Rehab Matters. Co-hosted by our very own Dr. Bob Krug and Patricia Sullivan, Medical Rehab Matters discusses the conditions treated and therapies used in inpatient medical rehab hospitals and units while addressing some of the legislative and regulatory issues that impact patients and their families and caregivers.
- Continued to build out AMRPA’s consumer-oriented microsite, which serves as a patient and caregiver information center. The microsite is the recipient of a Digital Health Award, which honored the world’s best digital health resources.