CMS Issues MLN Matters Article Clarifying Recognition of Interstate Licensure Compacts

As previously announced in February, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) advised the PT Compact Commission (PTCC) that a compact privilege is considered a valid, full license for purposes of meeting federal licensure requirements for the purposes of enrolling as a provider in Medicare. Since that time, CMS has provided guidance to the Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) to accept compact privileges and to re-open any applications that were denied under this basis. The only remaining item was a promised MLN Matters article on the issue.

On May 5, 2020, CMS published the Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Matters article entitled " Medicare Clarifies Recognition of Interstate License Compacts" that clarifies CMS' recognition of interstate license compacts as valid and full licenses for purposes of meeting federal license requirements. The article provides written confirmation of the CMS decision and addresses all healthcare licensure compacts allowing those with authorization to practice under a Compact the ability to apply as a provider and receive reimbursement from Medicare.

The PTCC is happy to bring a final and satisfying resolution to this problem. Thanks again to APTA and FSBPT for their assistance. As always, if you have any issues with Medicare or other insurance provider enrollment please contact the PT Compact Commission at info@ptcompact.org or 703-562-8500.

Changes to State Fees and Jurisprudence Requirements

As a reminder, states have the ability to change their fee and jurisprudence requirements at any time after notifying the PT Compact Commission. Recently West Virginia increased its state privilege fee to fifty dollars and Nebraska removed its requirement to take and pass its jurisprudence exam prior to getting compact privileges.

The PT Compact updates any changes to fees or jurisprudence requirements immediately, on ptcompact.org on the Fees and Jurisprudence page. It is the responsibility of the PT or PTA to know the requirements of each state and meet all those requirements to avoid potential adverse action. The PTCC recommends always checking the requirements whether for initial purchase or renewal of compact privileges.

PTCC Executive Board and Rules and Bylaws Committee Meetings Discuss Compact Growth and Improvements

The PTCC Executive Board met on May 8 to discuss the current state of the PT Compact and activities to strengthen the compact for the future. In addition to typical updates, the Executive Board discussed potential impacts of the COVID 19 health crisis including the need to begin consideration of possible alternatives to the in-person annual meeting scheduled for October 25, 2020 in Orange County, California. The Executive Board will likely make a decision at their next meeting in June. The board also agreed to the establishment of a new IT System Advisory Task Force to provide input on the requested features for a new database and operating system. A copy of the draft 2019 PTCC Annual Report was distributed for review and discussion. The report should be published by the end of May.

On May 6, the PTCC Rules and Bylaws committee met to begin review and discussion of potential amendments to the PTCC governing documents. Several suggestions were submitted by member states and the committee determined which amendments should be drafted by staff for further review and consideration by the Committee. Any draft amendments approved by the committee will be subject to approval by the Executive Board and released for public comment before being voted on by the full Commission at its annual meeting.

A schedule of all PTCC meetings and associated minutes are available at ptcompact.org under meeting information.

South Dakota Enacts PT Compact Legislation While Several Other PT Compact Bills Still Alive

On March 26, 2020, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem signed SB 60 to enact PT Compact legislation, making the state the twenty-eighth to join. Efforts are underway to implement the requirements of the PT Compact. Eight other states have active compact legislation in 2020, including Alabama, California, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. The recent health crisis has caused delays in many legislatures but the PTCC remains hopeful that several of these states will enact the legislation by the end of 2020. The PT Compact map provides the most up-to-date information on state statuses.