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Thousands of patients around the country have to discontinue their physical therapy treatments because they cannot afford to pay their sky-rocketing co-payments. In this difficult and uncertain financial environment, insurance co-payments that exceed $40, $50 or even $60 per visit make it almost impossible for people to afford two or three physical therapy sessions per week.
In a recent interview, Dr. Dimitrios Kostopoulos, co-founder of Hands-On Care Physical Therapy stated, "Despite the fact that physical therapists are the front line providers for musculoskeletal problems, they are considered by insurance companies as 'specialists' and fall under the specialist high co-pay schedule. Such a high co-pay schedule prohibits thousands of patients from receiving physical therapy services prescribed by their physicians."
The New York Physical Therapy Association has asked its members to join them on Lobby Day, May 18th in Albany. Understanding the impact this issue has on the care their patients receive, a group of individual physical therapists have created a grassroots campaign to support this legislation. "We are asking our fellow therapists to close their doors on May 18th and take their staff and their patients to Albany to support this new legislation and consumer's rights," stated Konstantine Rizopoulos, PT, one of the organizers of the movement. More information about the campaign can be found at www.ClosingMyDoors.com
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