WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (AZ-08) sent a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSureto to encourage CMS to keep proposed supervision requirements for occupational and physical therapy assistants in their recent 2025 Physician Fee Schedule in the final rule. These requirements mirror bipartisan legislation introduced by Lesko and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (D-NH-02) in H.R. 4878, the EMPOWER Act.

“Occupational and physical therapy are key healthcare resources for many Americans, especially our aging populations,” said Congresswoman Lesko. “Ensuring the inclusion of the Supervision of Outpatient Therapy Services in Private Practices rule change is a crucial step in meeting the needs of rural and underserved areas, who often have the most trouble reliably securing these treatment options.”

Under the proposed rule, the supervision requirement for occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) and physical therapy assistants (PTAs) would change to allow general, rather than direct, supervision. This will provide much needed flexibility and accessibility for patients.

Currently, 49/50 states allow for general, rather than direct supervision, by OTAs and PTAs as reported by the American Occupational Therapy Association. If included in the final rule, this rule change will allow Medicare and Medicaid recipients the same access to care as other patients not subject to CMS guidelines.

Lesko was joined in sending the letter by Rep. Annie Kuster (D-NH-02). To read the full letter, click here.

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