Legislative Update

Issues MOTA is currently monitoring or working towards:

• Increasing access to OT services across the mental health continuum of care in Minnesota
• Update as of April 2025: The bills (SF and HF) we introduced to the MN House and Senate unfortunately did not receive a committee hearing this year. The good news is that we will not have to re-introduce the bill next year as this session is the first of the biennium. We will advocate for this legislation again in the 2026 legislative session. 
• School therapist caseloads

Joint Statement on Use of Students in Hospitals (AOTA, APTA, ASHA)

On a Medicare Learning Network event entitled Inpatient Rehab Facilities (IRF) Payment and Coverage Policies: FY 2019 Final Rule hosted on Thursday, November 15, by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a number of questions were posed to CMS officials about whether student services can count towards the three-hour rule/intensity of therapy services requirement in the IRF setting. CMS clarified that students are not qualified providers of skilled rehabilitation services; however, CMS did not offer additional details on student supervision requirements that allow students to participate in clinical education and training.

AOTA, APTA, and ASHA have requested an in-person meeting with CMS officials to discuss this issue in more detail. To ensure the continued development of a highly trained and well-qualified therapy workforce, AOTA, APTA, and ASHA strongly believe CMS must collaborate with therapy stakeholders to develop guidance that allows therapy students to receive the quality clinical training and experience they require while also maintaining patient quality standards and ensuring the integrity of the Medicare program. The therapy organizations will provide additional guidance as soon as it becomes available.

Link to Statement:  http://www.aota.org/~/media/Corporate/Files/Publications/Joint-Statement-from-AOTA-APTA-ASHA-on-Use-of-Students-in-Hospitals.pdf