News

2022 Fall Conference Student Mentorships

All SPT and SPTA Students are eligible

October 6-7, 2022

This mentorship can be for 1 OR 2 days, depending on the interests/availability of the student, please specify this within your application.The mentee will be matched with a mentor who is in a leadership role within APTA Wisconsin, possibly practicing within the mentee's area of interest.

Mentee/mentor will attend the Fall Conference together. This program will also be fluid and can be tailor fit to the mentee/mentor. The general idea is to interact as much as possible. It is recommended to attend classes and as many other activities together as possible i.e. lunch (a table will be reserved for the mentorship program), business meeting, issues forum, welcome reception, student meet/greet and possibly the APTA Wisconsin Board of Directors Meeting.

To apply, write a concise essay (no more than 500 words) answering two questions:

1. What is your recent history of involvement in your undergrad and/or PT program, community, church, job, etc.?
2. What would they like to gain from this mentorship?

Essays are due by 5 pm on Friday, September 16. The mentee will be notified within one week of this deadline.

Please email essays in a Word Document or PDF to the APTA Wisconsin Academic Liaison Co-Chairs:

Erik Gregersen at erik.gregersen@froedtert.com  and Matt Paluchniak at matthew.paluchniak@froedtert.com

Be sure to include your contact info including:

APTA ID, Name, Address, School (year in program) and Practice Area of Interest (ex: private practice, manual therapy, neuro, pediatrics, acute, etc.)

Ready to get involved in your APTA community? Now's your chance.

Calls are now open for several APTA Board of Directors-appointed committees, council groups, and boards of trustees. Application deadline is Aug. 15; terms begin Jan. 1, 2023.

Expressing your interest in participating is easy: Just click on the appropriate APTA Engage link below and follow the instructions. (Tip: Have your CV ready to upload.)

Here's what's available:

APTA Committee Openings

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (four open positions)
• Ethics and Judicial Committee (one open position)
• Finance Committee (one open position)
• Audit Committee (two open positions)
• Public Policy and Advocacy Committee (four open positions)
• Scientific and Practice Affairs Committee (four open positions)
• Reference Committee (two open positions)
• Elections Committee Vice Chair (one open position)

APTA Awards Committee: Subcommittee Openings

• Advocacy Awards Subcommittee (two open positions)
• Catherine Worthingham Fellow Award Subcommittee (two open positions)
• Education Awards Subcommittee (two open positions)
• Lectures Awards Subcommittee (two open positions)
• Practice and Service Awards Subcommittee (two open positions)
• Publications Awards Subcommittee (two open positions)
• Research Awards Subcommittee (two open positions)
• Scholarships Awards Subcommittee (two open positions)

APTA Council Positions

• Council of Chapter Presidents – chair (one open position; limited to current presidents)  
• Council of Section Presidents – chair (one open position; limited to current presidents)
• Council of Component Executives – chair (one open position; limited to current executives)
• Council of Catherine Worthingham Fellows Chair (one open position)
• Council of Catherine Worthingham Fellows Steering Group (three open positions)
• APTA Frontiers in Rehabilitation Science and Technology Council Chair (one open position)
• APTA Frontiers in Rehabilitation Science and Technology Council Steering Group (five open positions)
• APTA Health Promotion and Wellness Council Chair (one open position)  
• APTA Health Promotion and Wellness Council Steering Group (three open positions)
• APTA Health Systems Council Chair (one open position)  
• APTA Health Systems Council Steering Group (eight open positions)

Board of Trustees Positions

• PT Fund Board of Trustees (one open position)
• Centennial LLC Board of Trustees (one open position)

Are you experiencing delays, decreases or denials from a commercial insurance company? APTA Wisconsin is launching a Fight for PT Coverage for Your Patients Campaign.

Below is a story provided to the Assembly Health Committee at a 2022 hearing on a bill to create better access to physical therapy, submitted by Dennis Kaster, PT, former APTA Wisconsin President.

“…. insurances are increasingly imposing many unnecessary authorization processes that vary greatly between each company that involve a great deal of administrative time to complete and submit. At a time when excellent outcomes may be achieved with a patient in 10-12 visits, Physical Therapists may be required to submit authorization paperwork several times.

I recently saw a patient who had been experiencing migraines for many years and was taking expensive medications on a regular basis for his migraines. He was getting daily migraines and missing 1-2 days of work a week due to the migraines. I saw him 11 times over 4 months. His copay for each visit was $70. The copay alone for these visits cost him $770. By the 11th visit he was experiencing less than 1 minor migraine per week, was not taking any rescue medication and was no longer missing any days of work.

During that episode of treatment, I had to send in three time-consuming requests for authorization. After the 11th visit, Aim, the utilization review company, through Anthem insurance denied any additional care. I appealed the denial and when I discussed the case with the reviewer, who sounded like he was … reading from a script, he told me it was being denied because I did not have any SMART goals that were measurable. When I told him that I measured the number of migraines per week and days off work, he kept repeating the same message about measurable goals and that Aim did not consider pain a measurable goal. The patient was denied any further care by his insurance company. That patient will likely turn to prescription pain medications to manage his migraines.”

Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Professional Development Program

Cohort Eight Now Open for Registration!

6 Weekend Course • Approximately 90 CEUs

Over an 18 month time frame

First course - October 22-23, 2022 at Bellin Health in Green Bay

Instructors: Phil Schaible, PT, DPT, Joe Kucksdorf, PT, DPT, and Bob Brady, PT, MPT

The Northeast District of APTA Wisconsin is pleased to present the eighth cohort Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy Professional Development Program. The program goal is to provide a quality and affordable continuing education program where content builds from one course to the next implementing complementary educational principles. It is designed to advance the skill set of physical therapists working in the outpatient orthopedic setting at a discount to those who are active APTA Wisconsin members.

The total cost of the course is $1,200, with $600 due prior to the start of the 1st and 4th courses. Course dates will be determined four to six months in advance. Participants who miss one course are able to attend future courses with future cohorts at no additional cost.

Registration is limited to 30 participants so register now at https://aptawi.org?km0lqv

We are excited to announce the formation of a new Special Interest Group within the Association for members who are interested in physical therapy's role in pain management!

Mission Statement:

Elevate the status of physical therapists such that they are the providers of choice for persons in pain. Additionally, we aim to be a resource to our healthcare teammates, community partners and other relevant stakeholders.

Our overarching goal is to help change society and healthcare’s understanding of pain and elevate the physical therapy profession to a more frontline role within the pain spectrum. We have lofty goals and are just getting started on our journey. If you would like to get more involved, please reach out to Pain SIG chair, Chris Ashbeck at ashbeck.chri@gmail.com.

On July 15, just as the Public Health Emergency (PHE) was set to expire – it was extended due to COVID-19. The new expiration date is the end of the day on October 13, 2022.

Even though Medicare allows direct supervision to be provided using real-time, interactive audio and video technology (excluding telephone that does not also include video) through the later of the end of the calendar year in which the PHE ends now in effect through December 31. Wisconsin Physical Therapy Examining Board has issued new guidance as follows that requires on-site patient assessment and treatment:

PT 5.01

2) In providing general supervision, the physical therapist shall do all of the following:

(a) Have primary responsibility for physical therapy care rendered by the physical therapist assistant.

(b) Have direct face−to−face contact with the physical therapist assistant at least every 14 calendar days. Electronic face−to− face communications (audio-visual) may be used to fulfill this requirement. Audio−only telephone, email messages, text messages, facsimile transmission, mail or parcel service are not considered acceptable electronic communications.

(h) Provide on−site assessment and reevaluation of each patient at a minimum of one time per calendar month or every tenth treatment day, whichever is sooner, and adjust the treatment plan as appropriate.

Conversion Factor The proposed CY 2023 proposed fee schedule (PFS) conversion factor is $33.08, a decrease of $1.53 from the CY 2022 PFS conversion factor of $34.61. This is an approximate 4.42% decrease compared to the CY 2022 CF of 34.6062.

This decrease accounts for the statutorily required update of 0% to the conversion factor for CY 2023, budget neutrality adjustment requirement, and the expiration of the 3% increase in PFS payments for CY 2022 that was enacted by Congress by the Protecting Medicare and American Farmers From Sequester Cuts Act, which mitigated payment cuts in CY 2022.

The proposed rule confirms that the differential which was implemented January 1, 2022 will continue as applicable for services provide in part or whole by a physical therapist assistant or occupational therapy assistant. CMS provided the calculation for these services that includes the 15% discount only.

APTA is working with a coalition of health care organizations to engage Congress to take action. We will be creating campaigns for you to also reach out to your members asking them to take action on the expiration of this additional funding.

If you would like to present a research poster at the upcoming APTA Wisconsin Fall Conference please see details below for submitting your research abstract for consideration.

RESEARCH ABSTRACT GUIDELINES

Who: Researchers, residents, clinicians, and students are invited to submit abstracts for review and possible presentation as a research poster at the 2022 APTA Wisconsin Fall Conference.

When: Research posters will be presented on the afternoon of Thursday, October 6. If accepted for presentation, the first author must be in attendance to present their respective poster from 5:30 – 6:30 pm during the conference poster reception. However, other co-authors do not need to be in attendance.

Where: Glacier Canyon Lodge Conference Center, 45 Hillman Rd, Wisconsin Dells

Types: Basic/Applied Science or Case Study/Report

Abstract Submission Deadline: August 31, 2022 at 5:00 pm CST. 

Abstract Submission Instructions: Complete the submission form that is relevant to your work and email it as an attachment to Sheri Bunyan, PT, PhD (sbunyan@uwsp.edu).

Case Study Authors: 

Use the Case Study Abstract Submission Form

Research Study Authors: 

Use the Research Study Abstract Submission Form

Abstract Review Process: After a peer review process, abstracts will be selected for presentation as a research poster format. The number of abstracts selected depends on space. Authors will be notified of their acceptance/rejection by Friday, September 9.

Abstract Guidelines:

• Abstract body limited to 2,600 including spaces and headings
• Abbreviations cannot be used in the abstract title.
• Abbreviations in the abstract body must be spelled in the first mention followed by the abbreviation in parentheses.
• Sections indicated on the abstract submission form must be used.
• A minimum of five recent (less than 10 years) references in American Medical Association (AMA) format must be included. References are not included in the character count.
• Submit the form as a Word document. Please do not send pdf or jpeg files.

Any questions regarding the abstract submission process can be directed to Sheri Bunyan, PT, PhD, APTA Wisconsin Research Chair, at sbunyan@uwsp.edu.

Get some face time with Wisconsin PTs, PTAs and students at the APTA Wisconsin Fall Conference!

Thursday, October 6, 2022 | Noon - 2 pm | Glacier Canyon Lodge and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells

We'll bring the attendees to you with lunch and giveaways. A limited number of skirted banquet tables will be available for exhibitors on a first-come, first-served basis.

A buffet lunch will be available from Noon - 2 pm for both exhibitors and attendees. Each 6' foot table will include an identification sign and up to two exhibitors are allowed per table (additional exhibitors are $15 each). Confirmation will be sent upon receipt of completed application.

Click here to learn more about our exhibitor packages and to download the registration form.

The Wisconsin legislature voted on June 8 to make the Emergency Rule relating to virtual PTA supervision permanent beginning on July 1, 2022. The revision of PT 5.01(2)(b) will allow electronic face-to-face communication in order to fulfill the requirement of having contact with PTAs at least every 14 calendar days. Audio-only telephone, email messages, text messages, facsimile transmission, mail or parcel services are NOT considered acceptable electronic communications. See below for the text of the rule.

SECTION 1. PT 5.01 (2) (b) and (h) are amended to read:

PT 5.01 (2) (b) Have direct face−to−face contact with the physical therapist assistant at least every 14 calendar days., unless the board approves another type of contact. Electronic face-to-face communications may be used to fulfil this requirement. Audio-only telephone, email messages, text messages, facsimile transmission, mail or parcel service are not considered acceptable electronic communications.

PT 5.01 (2) (h) Provide on−site assessment and reevaluation of each patient patient’s treatment at a minimum of one time per calendar month or every tenth treatment day, whichever is sooner, and adjust the treatment plan as appropriate. This requirement may be waived when another type of contact has been approved by the Board.