December 3, 2007

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Links
AOTA.org
News
Member Services
Students
Consumer Info
Scope of Practice
Advertising

First-Ever Student Conclave a Huge Success! 
More than 550 OT and OTA students recently converged on Pittsburgh to attend the sold-out AOTA/NBCOT National Student Conclave. Attendees came from 29 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Read more.

CMS Releases Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule 
Read AOTA's analysis of the 2008 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) November 27. The final rule addresses issues such as cuts to fee schedule payments, updates to therapy personnel qualifications and documentation standards, the therapy cap, and updates to the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative.
Read more.

Evidence Byte: Substance Abuse and Mental Health  
Visit the Guide to Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs), a site recently developed by the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration. Browse by behavioral health area or age group and setting for a list of Web sites with information on specific EBPs or comprehensive reviews of research findings.
Read more.

Practitioner Resources Available Online 
See these and many other documents on the AOTA Web site, in the "Practitioners" section under "Practice Resources":

• Guidelines for Documentation of Occupational Therapy (edited by the Commission on Practice [COP], 2007)
• Physical Agent Modalities: A Position Paper (edited by COP, 2007)
• Occupational Therapy in the Promotion of Health and the Prevention of Disease and Disability Statement (revised version adopted by the 2007 online RA)
• Wound Management (White Paper, approved by the Board of Directors, October 2007)

Congress Faces Decisions on Therapy Caps, Inpatient Rehab, Physician Fee Schedule Cuts 
Congress has significant issues to resolve before adjourning the first session of the 110th Congress on December 21, including several that affect OT practice and reimbursement. Use AOTA's Legislative Action Center to advocate for your profession and clients.
Read more.

Announcements 
Health & Wellness Ad Hoc Panel Seeks Input on Feasibility of Certification
An ad hoc panel appointed by the Commission on Continuing Competence and Professional Development (CCCPD) is exploring the feasibility of establishing a certification in health and wellness. They are seeking practitioner feedback and comments through December 11. Take the survey.

AOTPAC—Reaching for Its Goal
The AOTPAC Board of Directors needs your help to reach our fundraising goal of $250,000 for calendar 2007—we are $52,000 short. Please help today by making your contribution online.

Participate in Current and Upcoming AOTA Elections
SIS Elections for Chairpersons: Voting from December 1 through January 31. Enter the voting site from the AOTA home page or from the AOTA Elections page.

AOTA General Election: January 14-February 20. See the list of candidates and positions.

Assembly of Student Delegates Steering Committee Election: January 14-February 20. Candidate bios and position statements coming in December.

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