ATRA MET WITH THE WHITE HOUSE'S OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET RE: IRF'S THREE HOUR RULE

Following the meeting with CMS earlier in the term, ATRA was invited to meet with the White
House’s Office of Management and Budget to discuss the inclusion of RT services in the “three-
hour rule” in Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (IRFs). The meeting included many government
officials along with top CMS representatives. ATRA was strongly supported during this meeting
by leaders from four other national professional organizations: the American Academy of
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the American Medical Rehabilitation Providers
Association, the Brain Injury Association, and the American Spinal Injury Association. The
meeting allowed each national organization to share rationale for changing the three-hour rule
to include recreational therapy services (and other skilled services) as prescribed by physicians
to meet patient individual needs. The officials with the Office of Management and Budget asked a
few clarifying questions, and the meeting ended with a positive feeling. ATRA is thankful for this
opportunity to meet with White House officials and for the strong support from other national
rehabilitation organizations invested in this issue.