Governor Murphy signed into law the pay parity extension for telemedicine/telehealth patient visits. The original law extended this through December 31, 2024. The new law provides another extension through July 1, 2026. 

The law requires that health benefits plans in the State cover and pay for health care services delivered to a covered person through telemedicine or telehealth at a provider reimbursement rate that equals the reimbursement rate for the same services when delivered on an in-person basis in New Jersey, provided the services are covered by the health benefits plan when delivered on an in-person basis in the State. 

Active Lame Duck Session for APTANJ

The APTANJ government affairs team has been very busy during this lame duck session of the New Jersey State Legislature. (The term lame duck session refers to the period in which elected officials continue to serve in their positions after an election but before the newly elected officials take office on Tuesday, January 9^th.)

Several bills supported by APTANJ are awaiting Governor Murphy’s signature and will have an influence on the physical therapy profession in New Jersey. APTANJ was also successful in blocking a bill that would have severe consequences on physical therapy.

Read more.

October 28, 2022

Daniel Klim
Executive Director
American Physical Therapy Association of New Jersey
101 North Broad Street, 2nd Floor
Trenton, NJ 08608

Mr. Klim,

As per your request, below is the Board’s interpretation of the dry needling statute that was read into the minutes at its October 25, 2022 public meeting. The Board voted to make its interpretation effective as of the October 25, 2022.
The specific requirements of the current Dry Needling law provides qualifications that physical therapists shall meet before they engage in Dry Needling in their physical therapist practice. This includes 40 hours of academic instruction and 40 hours of practical hands-on instruction in dry needling. The statute further mandates that it is the Board that is to approve the required dry needling continuing education and competency programs that will satisfy the required instruction.

The Board recognizes that there are licensed physical therapist who obtained continuing education training in dry needling years before the issuance of the Attorney General’s decision in 2017 that halted the practice of Dry Needling by physical therapists in New Jersey. It is the interpretation of the Board that it will accept previously Board approved academic dry needling instruction totaling 40 hours. If the previously approved course does not total 40 hours the licensee shall make up the hours using a current board approved course that shall be completed within two years commencing current coursework. The academic instruction must total 40 hours and must meet the requirements in the statute as to content and qualifications of instructors, and include successful completion of an examination that captures psychomotor and cognitive performance.

The Board recognizes that licensees in NJ have not performed dry needling in their practices for at least five years. As the role of the Board is to protect the health and welfare of the consumers of the State of NJ, the Board is interpreting the statute to require that the 40 hours of hands-on instruction is to be completed by re-taking current Board approved courses. Thus, the required courses dealing with dry needling theory/academics may be satisfied by board approved courses previously taken (and totaling 40 hours) and the requirements for 40 hours in hands on instruction regarding dry needling shall be taken in a board approved course currently offered commencing in 2022. Previously board approved courses will not be accepted for the satisfaction of the 40 hours of hands on instruction required in the statute.

You are reminded that all requirements from the current law must be met by the previously board approved academic instruction as well as the entire list of conditions prior to the initiation of dry needling in your clinical practice. It is the responsibility of the Physical Therapist actively engaging in the practice of dry needling to be able to prove to the Board or any consumer who inquires about their qualifications that they have met the requirements in N.J.S.A. 45:9-37.34j. The production of a certificate of completion demonstrating satisfaction of a course is not sufficient to satisfy that request. The Board suggests that if you are relying on a previously Board approved course(s) that you gather the required information from the sponsor as soon as possible and maintain the materials in the event your qualifications are questioned.

NEW JERSEY STATE BOARD OF PHYSICAL THERAPY EXAMINERS

By: _______________________
Lisa Tadeo
Executive Director

View the PDF Letter

Megan Gardner, PT, MPT, MHA, CLT
APTANJ President

• CALL your local Assembly representatives (two in each district) and ask them to support A2316/S867. Ask your patients to do the same.
• Reach out to your colleagues (members and non-members) and tell them to call their local legislators in support of A2316/S867. It doesn't matter if they perform dry needling or not.

A special thanks must go out to our sponsor Senator Nellie Pou and her legislative team. They were instrumental in advocating on behalf of the physical therapy profession in NJ and have supported our efforts in the most difficult of times.  We must continue to attend her fundraisers and raise money in support of one of physical therapy’s biggest fans.

Background

The Stark laws were enacted to reduce conflicts of interest in the Medicare system.  The Stark laws generally prohibit physicians from referring Medicare patients to entities in which they have a financial interest. This requirement is to ensure that medical decisions are made in the best interest of the patient without consideration of any financial gain that could be realized by the treating physician through self-referral.  The in-office ancillary services (IOAS) exception to the Stark laws was created to allow physicians to self-refer and bill the Medicare program for typical same day services, such as x-rays, while the patient was in the physician office. Unfortunately, this exception was inappropriately expanded to include many services and procedures that are either not same-day services or are too advanced to be completed during the patient’s initial visit. Physical therapy is one such service that is currently falls under the IOASE.

You Can Help - Take Action Today!

APTA has long been opposed to referral for profit (RFP) in physical therapy, also known as physician-owned physical therapy services (POPTS).  Please click here to send an email or letter to your Representative asking them to co-sponsor the Promoting Integrity in Medicare Act (H.R. 2143).

For more information contact: info@aptanj.org