According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), health care costs grew to over 16% of GDP in 2008. With projections of costs growing to 19% of GDP in the next decade, the need to make health care more efficient, improve outcomes and reduce costs has never been more important. New health care legislation and the creation of coordinated health care groups, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), are meant to address costs and improve patient care.  

Today’s expert shares ways physical therapists can effectively provide high quality outcomes in an efficient, cost-effective manner.   In one of two podcasts, Jason Richardson, PT, DPT, OCS, COMT, VP of Clinical Operations for Results Physiotherapy Centers makes a strong argument for physical therapy to become part of primary care within the ACO model. 

Physical therapy is not currently defined as a part of the primary care options outlined in the affordable care act. Richardson recommends physical therapists become active now with physician groups, hospitals and payer-based groups forming Accountable Care Organizations to make the case for physical therapy being part of the primary care options offered by the group.   Richardson states physical therapy overcomes some of the limitations of coordinated care.  Since many chronic diseases are best controlled by exercise, physical therapists are uniquely positioned to help control disease through prescribed exercise programs in an efficient and cost effective manner.   Learn the action you can take to earn your place within an Accountable Care Organization by listening now.