CENTENNIAL MEDICAL CENTER’S REHABILITATION PROGRAM PROVIDES SOLUTION TO NEW MEDICARE LIMITS

NASHVILLE, Tenn., September 8, 2003 - Effective this month, Medicare will limit how much it will pay for outpatient therapy services provided to patients in private settings. The limits are $1,590 for physical therapy and speech-language pathology combined, and another $1,590 for occupational therapy.

“These limits don’t apply to the therapy services patients get at hospital outpatient departments like the Centennial Physical Rehabilitation Center,” said Mike Belanger, Centennial Medical Center outpatient rehab services manager. “Centennial is pleased to provide quality therapy services that won’t create a lapse in medical coverage.”

According to Medicare, outpatient therapy received before September 1, 2003 will not be included in the 2003 outpatient therapy limit. In 2004, the limits will apply to therapy services for the full calendar year. The $1,590 limits will be applied to therapy services at the hospital outpatient department if a patient is in a Medicare-certified area of a nursing facility. The Medicare recipient receiving the services will still be responsible for the $100 per year Part B deductible and the 20 percent co-pay.

For more information about the Centennial Physical Rehabilitation Center, call 615-342-5600.

###