OT Practice Article
Advocacy
AOTA is advocating for you
Your membership allows us to be a powerful voice for the profession. We protect your needs and create new opportunities by advocating on your behalf with the public, at state legislatures, and all the way to Capitol Hill. Our wins impact your everyday practice, from billing and compensation to the scope and reach of occupational therapy. AOTA also supports you, as you raise your voice on behalf of the profession and the people you serve.
Advocacy news
End-of-year legislation includes three-month Medicare telehealth extension for occupational therapy
Medicare outpatient payment fix and behavioral health extenders pulled from final package
Future of Medicare telehealth waivers uncertain as Congress struggles to pass end-of-year legislation
AOTA advocacy: UHC Medicare Advantage prior authorization
Finalized 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule impact on OT
Advocacy issues in focus
AOTA works hard every day to protect the profession and preserve access to occupational therapy services. Here are some of the key issues we work on.
OTA Payment Advocacy
AOTA is working to protect occupational therapy assistants and preserve access to OT services, in light of a 15% payment cut to OTA services under Medicare Part B.
Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact
The OT compact is an interstate professional licensing compact for occupational therapy which will address licensure portability. This is a multi-year initiative that requires legislation to be passed in each state where the OT compact will apply.
Medicare Part B
We fight back against Medicare cuts to therapy services to ensure that occupational therapy services and payments are covered under the Medicare Part B fee schedule.
Workforce diversity
AOTA has been advocating for federal policies that will help improve the diversity of the occupational therapy workforce by increasing the number of practitioners from backgrounds currently underrepresented within the profession.
Telehealth Advocacy
AOTA has been working to ensure that the expansion of OT telehealth services at the state and federal levels during the COVID-19 pandemic are made permanent.
Political action committee
AOTPAC puts OT in the policy spotlight
The American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (AOTPAC®) is your doorway to collectively support candidates for federal office who support and understand the policy issues important to our profession—and the clients we serve. AOTPAC serves as an integral part of the AOTA Federal Affairs Team's public policy strategy. Make a contribution, learn more about us, and learn how to get involved.
Get involved and make a difference
Contact your policy makers
Connect with legislators, regulators, and payers, and ask them to support policies that protect occupational therapy practitioners and improve access to the vital services we provide. Here's how to get started.
Be an everyday advocate
Incorporating advocacy into your daily routine is an important part of being an occupational therapy practitioner. From marketing and promoting the profession, to articulating your unique knowledge and skills in the workplace you can be an everyday advocate for the profession.
Attend Hill Day
AOTA's advocacy event is a great opportunity for grassroots advocates to contact their legislators, engage with AOTA Staff and learn more about legislative priorities and the congressional process, and hear from a Member of Congress. Join us.
More advocacy resources
Everyday Advocacy Decision Guide
This guide provides occupational therapy practitioners with tips to engage in advocacy in practice.
Marketing and Promoting OT
Spread the word about the value of occupational therapy with AOTA’s marketing and promotion resources.
Seven Ways to be an OT Advocate
Advocacy comes in all shapes and sizes. Discover ways you can advocate for the profession and fight for issues that are important to occupational therapy practitioners.
Guidelines for a Site Visit
How to schedule, lead, and manage an occupational therapy site visit from a Congressional delegation.
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