New law would help dental patients who need physical therapy

Mar 30, 2009

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) is applauding the introduction of the "Medicare Oral Health Rehabilitative Enhancement Act of 2009" (H.R. 1430 IH), which would change current Medicare law that prohibits dentists from referring their Medicare patients for physical therapy.

Introduced on March 11, by Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-NJ) and Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA), H.R. 1430 would allow oral and maxillofacial surgeons and other dentists to refer their patients directly for physical therapy, according to the AAOMS.

Current statute requires they must refer patients to an allopathic or osteopathic physician to establish a therapy plan. The "budget neutral" legislation will actually save money by removing the unnecessary step in obtaining a referral and has the support of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the AAOMS said.

The association noted that oral and maxillofacial surgeons regularly treat patients with medical conditions that require physical therapy, such as jaw fractures, temporomandibular joint disorder, and reconstructive procedures. In most cases, these conditions require some form of physical therapy after treatment.

Encouraging and building support for the bill will be a major focus of discussions with members of the U.S. House and Senate during AAOMS' April 29 "Day on the Hill" in Washington, DC, according to the organization.