Privately Practice Physical Therapy (PPPT) clinics across Missouri are in danger of closing. The financial agreements between PPPT clinics and Commercial Health Insurance companies are not the same as they are for clinics run by large hospital systems. We are fighting to change this.
Health Insurance Companies discriminate against PPPT clinics and force financial agreements that have resulted in:
- Anywhere from 40% to 130% discrepancy in reimbursement rates of PPPT clinics versus HRPT clinics for the same provided services.
- Patients being unable to freely choose their provider.
- Reduction in physical therapist positions & wages in PPPT clinics due to paper-thin operating margins.
- Care that is controlled by the insurance company, not the patient or the provider.
- PPPT clinics laying off employees, reducing patient care and going out of business.
PPPT clinics provide the exact same services as a HRPT clinic. Despite this, Health Insurance Companies' discriminating contracting practices charge more to the patient and pay less to the provider when they choose PPPT clinics. PPPT clinic owners have made multiple attempts to begin negotiations with the insurance companies. However, there is a total lack of negotiation on the part of the insurance companies when dealing with PPPT clinics.
