Affects of new health care law on PT career

Complicated and unsure but with more people in the system the demand will go up which is always a good thing in the job market. As far as reimbursement per patient, it may go down but I believe the entire system will change, in outpatient for example I see facilities using more PTA's and techs and having the PT do primarily hands on work and allowing the tech's to take the patient through exercise routines. More paperwork for sure.

"having the PT do primarily hands on work"

I doubt it, I think that if anything, PTs will be doing strictly evals and paper work. It isn't too efficacious to have PTs do all the hands on work, the PTAs will take care of that and probably PTtechs will be more incorporated in inpatient settings. My opinion.

ksiem said:

"having the PT do primarily hands on work"

I doubt it, I think that if anything, PTs will be doing strictly evals and paper work. It isn't too efficacious to have PTs do all the hands on work, the PTAs will take care of that and probably PTtechs will be more incorporated in inpatient settings. My opinion.

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I agree.

ksiem said:

"having the PT do primarily hands on work"

I doubt it, I think that if anything, PTs will be doing strictly evals and paper work. It isn't too efficacious to have PTs do all the hands on work, the PTAs will take care of that and probably PTtechs will be more incorporated in inpatient settings. My opinion.

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that will suck. a lot. what's the point in going into PT then if you don't get to do the hands on work? I guess getting an extra manual certification would be rather pointless in this environment then

I don't think healthcare reform will make as big of an impact on PT as Medicare reform will. Medicare's future is a HUGE wildcard right now. Currently scheduled for bankruptcy in 2017, a weakening economy means this date could come sooner then expected. Given the trend that private insurance generally follows payment trends of Medicare, it makes you wonder what would happen if it went bankrupt.

My guess is that congress won't let it go bankrupt initially because of their voter base consisting of primarily baby-boomers. It would be political suicide to disable this program so they'll try to sustain it as long as possible. Most likely they will decrease reimbursements to providers and increase the medicare tax on citizens. Unfortunately I believe the cost per beneficiary is going to go way up due to treatment for obesity comorbidities such as diabetes and CVD. These treatments will take priority and PT will most likely get the leftovers. Patient copays will go up which will decrease the demand for PT services.

I have a bad feeling, unfortunately, that Medicare will simply fail before any reform is accomplished. The reason being what I stated before. Baby boomers will most likely not allow it politically. It's not unfathomable from my perspective that the Medicare program will not exist ten years from now. It certainly seems like a possibility. The reason is simple. Not enough money going in to pay for healthcare expenditures. This is a very large population and there are simply not enough younger people paying in.

lee9786 said:

It's not unfathomable from my perspective that the Medicare program will not exist ten years from now. It certainly seems like a possibility. The reason is simple. Not enough money going in to pay for healthcare expenditures. This is a very large population and there are simply not enough younger people paying in.

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Because us younger folk can't get jobs, and therefore can't pay Medicare taxes. It's a vicious cycle.

Do other countries have the equivalent of Medicare or are the older generations just included under regular universal healthcare like everyone else? I really don't know anything about the insurance situation in other countries, other than I should move there because I've now been denied insurance coverage twice and am about to be royally screwed.

...

pwrtrainer said:

write your representative if you would like a voice in the matter...

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What ultimately needs to happen is for the voters in this country to start really doing their research into who they vote into office, not just at the federal level but at the state level. This especially needs to start happening with the younger people if they want any hope at all of a future that's not filled with massive debt, taxation, higher costs of living, poor job prospects, etc... I guess only when it all starts showing its ugly face we will start paying attention, but by then this monster will already be in motion. It actually already is we just haven't started paying back our credit card payments yet.

One of the reasons I hear people say they don't vote is because they don't think it will matter. That's hogwash. If everyone thought like that then we'd all be fine with the politicians doing whatever they wanted. The truth is the citizens in this country pay their salary. They should be representing the citizens of the country and not their special interest groups and corporations that help finance their election campaign and fill their pockets. The people as a whole need to start paying attention.

One guy I like is Ron Paul. It has nothing to do with Democrat or Republican. That two party system is a joke. It has everything to do with someone that seems to be acting in the best interest of the citizens and not the government. He is also a OBGYN physician, so he actually understands the bureaucracy of healthcare in this country and its complexity. I voice my opinion about how I like him to others and the response generally is "Oh he can't represent the Republican party because he'd never win." Hogwash! If everyone thought like that he wouldn't win. All these left/rightists, conservative/liberal labelists need to start asking themselves is does their representatives really represent their best interests as citizens. Ron Paul's message is popular with the masses, the problem is the phony political structure denies him a chance because they don't think he can win for the Republican party. The citizens of this country really accept that government control?

Here is Ron Paul's take on healthcare reform

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foXQbmZxWYY&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

Here is another one

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2MHw3BfELU[/YOUTUBE]

Here he is getting lambasted by the Republican party because they don't think he can win.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlacFmRGPgI[/YOUTUBE]

Here he is schooling Bernanke, our unelected official we can thank five years down the road for his amazing fiscal policy. A little older

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4kxTkhwR_Q[/YOUTUBE]

Here's a more recent one

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73ikOtJ-llQ[/YOUTUBE]

He hasn't decided yet whether he will run in 2012. If he does I suggest everyone start embracing these concepts. We've already seen what change Obama had in mind. We got to see the bailing out of the banks and wall street while we still have 17% real unemployment in this country. We understand now that he feels we can borrow and print our way out of this mess in an attempt to keep the consumer bubble going. Not only did we spend tax payer dollars we don't have, we borrowed it mainly from China. Nothing like telling China they won't get their money. Not a good reality considering they are second in line as the world's most superior superpower and are an emerging economy as opposed to ours which is depressing, based on consumer spending with a dependence on the strength of our currency which is on a downward spiral.

What does this country's future hold in the way of jobs? The stimulus plan did nothing to help this country's private sector stimulate real growth. It's heavily based on creating government jobs, the consumers not producers of real revenue. We're going to build bridges and rebuild our infrastructure. That's great but are these jobs creating wealth or they simply another cost. Should we be increasing our expenditures when we don't have money. Do you increase costs when you are low in money in your bank account. It defies logic. Maybe when it's broke you have to fix it, but if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Where are all these people that are currently drawing unemployment checks from the system going to go to get jobs when the checks go away? How are they going to pay their inflated mortgage payments with no jobs? What is the short-term as well as long-term plan to revive the opportunity for jobs in this country? How are we going to deal with this astronomical and unpayable national debt? These are the primary issues in this country. The fact that many citizens rely on Walmart as their saving grace for employment is in fact disturbing. Everyone needs to start getting involved.

Here's some more reasons why people in this country need to start embracing Ron Paul. You can't spend your way out of a recession while ignoring common sense.

McCain gets shot down with facts
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTR_iq-eBB8&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

Huckabee - A classic phony politician at his best spouting rhetoric and getting shot down by reason.
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9sA5FQfE1E[/YOUTUBE]

A soldier's viewpoint. What's the definition of "Supporting the Troops?"
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cI0keH8sKHs&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

Another soldier
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO2RujOK43I&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

So stop the endless wars, save lives, and use the money spent on this venture to pay down our international debt while using the money spent on defense on actual defense as opposed to offense. Repeal this sorry HC reform bill which will only increase costs and replace it with a less expensive, more efficient system that helps to actually decrease the percentage of GDP spent on healthcare. Restore the strength of the currency which ultimately encourages investment into America. Stop spending money we don't have by borrowing from emerging communist superpowers which will only eventually equalize the nation's worldwide influence. Would you want to move to China in hopes of finding work with your secondary education degree? It looks more and more like a reality everyday.

Another guy that seems to be attempting to help out this country. He was Ron Paul's economic adviser and is currently running for the senate in Connecticut. He has no long-term plans to be a career politician. He is attempting to hold people in congress accountable for their lack of understanding of the economy.

The infamous "Peter Schiff was Right" video predicting our economic collapse while getting laughed at in the process.
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8nrZthYbNM[/YOUTUBE]


A more recent video where Peter debates an economic elitist that share the same dangerous view as Obama et al.
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnKsgelpuHU[/YOUTUBE]

We are NOT in recovery folks no matter what lies the media is attempting to pawn off. Unfunded liabilities = Medicare + Social Security ...

DancerFutureDPT said:

Because us younger folk can't get jobs, and therefore can't pay Medicare taxes. It's a vicious cycle.

Do other countries have the equivalent of Medicare or are the older generations just included under regular universal healthcare like everyone else? I really don't know anything about the insurance situation in other countries, other than I should move there because I've now been denied insurance coverage twice and am about to be royally screwed.

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Younger people can't get jobs because of government involvement in the student loan industry thus distorting the free market. Good videos on student loans and jobs below.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ei2CH9A3H8U[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzOf-kXWfVs[/YOUTUBE]

Another great video on healthcare

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF8gQfGEvsc&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

I might as well go one step further. The videos below are important for everyone in this country to watch. You might look at things a little differently.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cItoilNxdCs[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebM8mGq-HhA&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SN-w6NDQ6M&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEZvN1wjG4s&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lmo6BgIc7vM&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw[/YOUTUBE]

Everyone here pretty much has a background in science so you know the credibility of information we get depends on the source. So crosscheck references. Something to think about... Obama is considered a corporatist, not socialist. We can see this in the bailouts to large corporations and banks as well as the HC reform bill which greatly helps the insurance and pharmaceutical industries. Who are these politician's working for? It surly doesn't seem to be the citizens. Why does the federal reserve, a private entity, have so much power with so little checks and balances?

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKUW9A3WNXc[/YOUTUBE]

What happens to Medicare if the dollar crashes? Keep in mind this video is just talking about auditing the fed. Why would any congressman be opposed to this?

Another video exploiting the dangerous practices of the federal reserve and what they have been doing with all of the citizens' dollars. Obama has not taken any type of aggressive action towards this irresponsible behavior, but instead endorses it.

Also notice how this type of news, which should be on the front page, is replaced by Tiger Woods extramarital affairs or Octomom. Where is our media to promote checks and balances of our politicians? Don't look to Fox, CNN, MsNBC, etc... You have to look up independent newschannels such as "RealNews" to find any real journalistic integrity. Money is a powerful tool, and the banking elite have plenty of it to throw at the feet of our mass media outlets to make sure they don't become part of the mainstream media news. Think about the number of people that sit in front of their TV all day and just watch the news. TV rules in this country.

Get informed and inform others. What's happening in the world now isn't normal. We could very well be heading into another great depression. Look what's going on in Greece. It's on it's way here too if we don't straighten up. We could very well start having rioting in the streets.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyOYm5b1NRA&feature=related[/YOUTUBE]

edit..

I decided to take this post down. It seems its content has offended some people. I don't see how denying it is going to help anything. I'm sure it will be on Fox News.

"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."

PecMajor said:

"Mr. Madison, what you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul."

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That's nice. Are there any words or just quotes from Billy Madison? Did anyone happen to catch the stock market yesterday in freefall mode where at one point Sam Adams was trading shares for 1 cent? People can choose ignorance. I'd recommend not to.

What is happening will affect you. For example consider a financial collapse did occur. It isn't impossible and many well-informed economists actually believe it is imminent with this just being the beginning. Greece is currently cutting back on citizen's benefits and there are riots in the street. Many believe this could come to the United States. If the financial collapse reached America would happen to the Medicare system? Would it still be around? Would PT go to a system that is based upon direct trade for services? How would this business model fare the new PT grad with 100k+ in government, owned student loan debt? Remember student loan debt is the one type of debt not dischargable in bankruptcy.

Don't think it's a possibility? Tell me why. I'd like to here from the veteran PTs on here as well. What makes these thoughts incoherent and irrational? I get no brownie points for being right. I'm just looking to stimulate discussion on a very serious issue. I'm surprised actually with all the bright people on here that this has gotten literally zero constructive responses. The question is how does HC reform affect PT. The general answer is that I as well as many others don't know the answer. There are only answers in the short-term, but what about the long-term?

lee9786 said:

I'm just looking to stimulate discussion on a very serious issue. I'm surprised actually with all the bright people on here that this has gotten literally zero constructive responses. The question is how does HC reform affect PT. The general answer is that I as well as many others don't know the answer. There are only answers in the short-term, but what about the long-term?

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You are right, the question is how does HC reform affect PT. Therefore the reason why I am not replying to these nonsense responses you had (and I am assuming others are having the same thought) is because you completely deviated from the original thread question, had some good points but most were just plain wrong, and it seems that your main point was to lobby for Ron Paul.

lee9786 said:

People can choose ignorance. I'd recommend not to.

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Exactly! Think about all the messages you are perpetuating with your posts. Which side are you really choosing?

Healthcare is deeply intertwined with politics. Politics has been corrupted by the elite bankers that run the federal reserve. The federal reserve is contributing to a very likely world-wide financial collapse. Ron Paul is the leading politician against this effort. The intent is to inform and entice people to get more involved. The tides can be changed, but it won't happen on its own. This country is at a turning point in history where emerging countries such as India and China are leveling the playing field with America. PecMajor why I'm I wrong? What specifically? I'm all for a debate.

Meanwhile sadly it looks as if American citizens will once again lose as the bankers direct our corrupted politicians.

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuVBAMQ0j4A[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzulCADwCF4[/YOUTUBE]

I posted a thread on rehabedge.com called "What if the Healthcare System Collapses." Here's the thread. http://physicaltherapy.rehabedge.com/tm.aspx?m=66434

One individual's response..

"Cash-based PT? Let me put it this way. No. You can't squeeze water from rocks.

The majority of patients for PT are from an insurance based system. Your 1) general blue-collar worker injured on the job using his workplace based insurance or 2) stroke-patient in recovery under medicare doesn't have spare cash to throw around. Much less spare cash in an inflationary environment.

Debt is debt. Debt is slavery. I know people wrangling their hands and gnashing their teeth from the debts they owe. Remember, PT patients are primarily from insurance. Real unemployment is 16-22% (see shadowstats), companies are not hiring much less expanding their benefits.

Less jobs = less people with insurance = fewer PT referrals left for a bunch of newbie PT graduates and PT's coming in from overseas. Look at all the unemployed MBA's with 120k loans. I knew like 7 that graduated last year and have not found jobs. This spring will be a new batch that come online. Rinse and repeat for PT.

I would only go to PT school if 1) you get into a low-cost public program or 2) get into military paid-for program. By the time you exit your program, say 2014, you will be entering an enviroment that is in total FUBAR freefall. There is a chance many private colleges will fail as well. There is risk that some private programs will simply 'evaporate' leaving students high and dry (see Hawaii's Pharmacy School fiasco from around 2006).

The problem with PT is that is doesn't translate to other industries. PT depends on reimbursements. Consider that reimbursements are made from a pre-paid pot of money. It's not a stretch to imagine that "prepaid pots of money" go wonky when inflation hits 150-500% per year.

Don't let this be a downer for you. You technically haven't made any mistakes with your time so you're ok. The fact you started this topic means you haven't been brainwashed like 85% of folks out there. You are more free so take advantage of that clarity. Congrats on the big brain.

Cliff Notes
1) Stay out of debt.
2) Stay out of private schools that can fail. Some will shut down sooner than later.
3) Invest in yourself (tech related skills, database-centric)
4) Remember to still have fun while we are all distracted by both Obama and the Tea Party's antics. Bang that hottie hostess you've had your eye on. " -Johnnyappleseed

A representation off how everything is interrelated.
http://physicaltherapy.rehabedge.com/tm.aspx?m=66434

Lee9786- I agree with you for the most part on reform. I don't agree with Ron Paul on some things, but he has pretty libertarian views when it comes to healthcare, which I agree with. Too many people relying on the system and not on themselves, thats why our country is in it's current free fall...well that and a few shoves from some in the administration.

but as far as PT goes, I think it could go either way. I think insurance companies are going to fail if something isn't changed, and reimbursement will likely decrease. However, I think due to decreases in medicare, medicaid, and less procedures being covered under private healthcare plans the demand for PT could increase. I think it is very possible there will be more of a push to put people in physical therapy as opposed to having surgery in situations that will allow this, simply b/c it is cheaper. Unfortunately it will be a raw deal for patients, but I think there could be a big push to put patients in PT as a cheaper treatment option in many cases.

....and if all else fails...I'm sure the government has PT's on staff in their hospitals...kidding, I would not be taking any job outside the private sector unless it's in the military.

Sjohn106 said:

Lee9786- I agree with you for the most part on reform. I don't agree with Ron Paul on some things, but he has pretty libertarian views when it comes to healthcare, which I agree with. Too many people relying on the system and not on themselves, thats why our country is in it's current free fall...well that and a few shoves from some in the administration.

but as far as PT goes, I think it could go either way. I think insurance companies are going to fail if something isn't changed, and reimbursement will likely decrease. However, I think due to decreases in medicare, medicaid, and less procedures being covered under private healthcare plans the demand for PT could increase. I think it is very possible there will be more of a push to put people in physical therapy as opposed to having surgery in situations that will allow this, simply b/c it is cheaper. Unfortunately it will be a raw deal for patients, but I think there could be a big push to put patients in PT as a cheaper treatment option in many cases.

....and if all else fails...I'm sure the government has PT's on staff in their hospitals...kidding, I would not be taking any job outside the private sector unless it's in the military.

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Thank you for the informed reply.