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Todd,

I went to a continuing ed course a couple of years back given by Arnie Cisneros,

the president of Home Health Strategic Management. He pointed out some

interesting facts that may be applicable to the OPPT industry. Every time that

to government would increase restrictions on HH therapy and revenues, therapists

would always fear that the profession would not survive. Perhaps no other

segment has been more regulated and restricted more than the HH therapy

industry. Each time these restrictions are enforced, therapists have learned to

adapt and change the way they do business. Increasing efficiency and decreasing

costs, and yes, decreasing the amount of care. But insurance and therapy

companies can still show that they can still achieve good outcomes with less.

We will have to adapt and make the necessary changes in how we practice. We

should also increase our support of the APTA to continue to fight the good

fight.

Duane

Mesa, AZ.

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Todd,

I went to a continuing ed course a couple of years back given by Arnie Cisneros,

the president of Home Health Strategic Management. He pointed out some

interesting facts that may be applicable to the OPPT industry. Every time that

to government would increase restrictions on HH therapy and revenues, therapists

would always fear that the profession would not survive. Perhaps no other

segment has been more regulated and restricted more than the HH therapy

industry. Each time these restrictions are enforced, therapists have learned to

adapt and change the way they do business. Increasing efficiency and decreasing

costs, and yes, decreasing the amount of care. But insurance and therapy

companies can still show that they can still achieve good outcomes with less.

We will have to adapt and make the necessary changes in how we practice. We

should also increase our support of the APTA to continue to fight the good

fight.

Duane

Mesa, AZ.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Todd,

I went to a continuing ed course a couple of years back given by Arnie Cisneros,

the president of Home Health Strategic Management. He pointed out some

interesting facts that may be applicable to the OPPT industry. Every time that

to government would increase restrictions on HH therapy and revenues, therapists

would always fear that the profession would not survive. Perhaps no other

segment has been more regulated and restricted more than the HH therapy

industry. Each time these restrictions are enforced, therapists have learned to

adapt and change the way they do business. Increasing efficiency and decreasing

costs, and yes, decreasing the amount of care. But insurance and therapy

companies can still show that they can still achieve good outcomes with less.

We will have to adapt and make the necessary changes in how we practice. We

should also increase our support of the APTA to continue to fight the good

fight.

Duane

Mesa, AZ.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Todd:

This is a question that is very frequently asked and I appreciate you

bringing it to the list.

On the one hand, you can't argue with statistics. America is getting older

yet maintaining an active lifestyle including working into later years.

What profession is best suited to keep them at maximum function? There

is a growing body of evidence that puts efficacy and cost-effectiveness

right between the eyes of a PT an an outpatient environment. On the other

hand, we have a grossly over regulated environment with constraints

from every imaginable force including a reimbursement climate that wants to

pay a doctoring profession on a technician level. On top of all this, we

have 210+ schools all vying for higher tuition and more years in school

making students indebted and then seeking a job based on pay rather than

passion and often that is not in outpatient environments.

However, I would put the responsibility of " survival " on the backs of our

own rather than externalities. Yes, we can thrive provided we resist the

natural urge to become a rule driven profession that is guided by

prescription rather than permission. One that is dedicated to being

collaborative rather than subordinate. One that is dedicated to research

rather than self-policing. One that seeks legislative changes rather than

be victim of political inactivity. One that puts the physical therapist

back into physical therapy. One where the physical therapist is the force

multiplier in musculoskeletal medicine.

Todd, outpatient PT will be fine. As to your friend wanting to open up a

clinic, that is an entirely different question and answer.

Larry Benz PT

CONFIDENTIALITY: This message is " Off The Record " . A lot of fancy legal

speak that none of us reads or understands is often contained here.

> **

>

>

> Dear List,

>

> A colleague of mine asked my opinion of the future of Outpatient PT.

> With me being an owner for nearly 15 years, he thought I would be a good

> source of information to help him decide if he should open a clinic of

> his own. After much thought, I still can't give him an answer that I

> feel comfortable with. With the possibility of Medicare cuts, ObamaCare

> around the corner and any other circumstances, what are your thoughts on

> the future of OPPT?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Todd Rodrigue

> Vermilion PT

> Abbeville, LA

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Todd:

This is a question that is very frequently asked and I appreciate you

bringing it to the list.

On the one hand, you can't argue with statistics. America is getting older

yet maintaining an active lifestyle including working into later years.

What profession is best suited to keep them at maximum function? There

is a growing body of evidence that puts efficacy and cost-effectiveness

right between the eyes of a PT an an outpatient environment. On the other

hand, we have a grossly over regulated environment with constraints

from every imaginable force including a reimbursement climate that wants to

pay a doctoring profession on a technician level. On top of all this, we

have 210+ schools all vying for higher tuition and more years in school

making students indebted and then seeking a job based on pay rather than

passion and often that is not in outpatient environments.

However, I would put the responsibility of " survival " on the backs of our

own rather than externalities. Yes, we can thrive provided we resist the

natural urge to become a rule driven profession that is guided by

prescription rather than permission. One that is dedicated to being

collaborative rather than subordinate. One that is dedicated to research

rather than self-policing. One that seeks legislative changes rather than

be victim of political inactivity. One that puts the physical therapist

back into physical therapy. One where the physical therapist is the force

multiplier in musculoskeletal medicine.

Todd, outpatient PT will be fine. As to your friend wanting to open up a

clinic, that is an entirely different question and answer.

Larry Benz PT

CONFIDENTIALITY: This message is " Off The Record " . A lot of fancy legal

speak that none of us reads or understands is often contained here.

> **

>

>

> Dear List,

>

> A colleague of mine asked my opinion of the future of Outpatient PT.

> With me being an owner for nearly 15 years, he thought I would be a good

> source of information to help him decide if he should open a clinic of

> his own. After much thought, I still can't give him an answer that I

> feel comfortable with. With the possibility of Medicare cuts, ObamaCare

> around the corner and any other circumstances, what are your thoughts on

> the future of OPPT?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Todd Rodrigue

> Vermilion PT

> Abbeville, LA

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Todd:

This is a question that is very frequently asked and I appreciate you

bringing it to the list.

On the one hand, you can't argue with statistics. America is getting older

yet maintaining an active lifestyle including working into later years.

What profession is best suited to keep them at maximum function? There

is a growing body of evidence that puts efficacy and cost-effectiveness

right between the eyes of a PT an an outpatient environment. On the other

hand, we have a grossly over regulated environment with constraints

from every imaginable force including a reimbursement climate that wants to

pay a doctoring profession on a technician level. On top of all this, we

have 210+ schools all vying for higher tuition and more years in school

making students indebted and then seeking a job based on pay rather than

passion and often that is not in outpatient environments.

However, I would put the responsibility of " survival " on the backs of our

own rather than externalities. Yes, we can thrive provided we resist the

natural urge to become a rule driven profession that is guided by

prescription rather than permission. One that is dedicated to being

collaborative rather than subordinate. One that is dedicated to research

rather than self-policing. One that seeks legislative changes rather than

be victim of political inactivity. One that puts the physical therapist

back into physical therapy. One where the physical therapist is the force

multiplier in musculoskeletal medicine.

Todd, outpatient PT will be fine. As to your friend wanting to open up a

clinic, that is an entirely different question and answer.

Larry Benz PT

CONFIDENTIALITY: This message is " Off The Record " . A lot of fancy legal

speak that none of us reads or understands is often contained here.

> **

>

>

> Dear List,

>

> A colleague of mine asked my opinion of the future of Outpatient PT.

> With me being an owner for nearly 15 years, he thought I would be a good

> source of information to help him decide if he should open a clinic of

> his own. After much thought, I still can't give him an answer that I

> feel comfortable with. With the possibility of Medicare cuts, ObamaCare

> around the corner and any other circumstances, what are your thoughts on

> the future of OPPT?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Todd Rodrigue

> Vermilion PT

> Abbeville, LA

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Larry,

Love your responses as usual; however, I would like to hear expanded opinion

on one point you made. " Yes, we can thrive provided we resist the

natural urge to become a rule driven profession that is guided by

prescription rather than permission. "

Maybe it's been a long day and I would love to hear your clarity on this.

It seems we need to function in both roles to some degrees. Sometimes we

act as a conduit to enhance another professions examination, as part of the

team, and give other ideas in the summary (EMG studies, WC evaluations, help

with the diagnosis/prognosis, wound care team, etc.) Certainly this is not

the bulk of practices but a part of the medical team or part of a hospital

practice.

Steve Passmore PT, MS

Healthy Recruiting Tools

spass@...

Phone:

Fax:

" What We Did For You Yesterday Is History. What Can We Do For You Today "

Recruiting Tools: Cold Calls ~ List Enhancement ~ Direct Mailers ~ Card

Design ~ Recruiting Software

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf

Of Larry Benz

Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 7:06 AM

To: PTManager

Subject: Re: Future of OPPT

Todd:

This is a question that is very frequently asked and I appreciate you

bringing it to the list.

On the one hand, you can't argue with statistics. America is getting older

yet maintaining an active lifestyle including working into later years.

What profession is best suited to keep them at maximum function? There

is a growing body of evidence that puts efficacy and cost-effectiveness

right between the eyes of a PT an an outpatient environment. On the other

hand, we have a grossly over regulated environment with constraints

from every imaginable force including a reimbursement climate that wants to

pay a doctoring profession on a technician level. On top of all this, we

have 210+ schools all vying for higher tuition and more years in school

making students indebted and then seeking a job based on pay rather than

passion and often that is not in outpatient environments.

However, I would put the responsibility of " survival " on the backs of our

own rather than externalities. Yes, we can thrive provided we resist the

natural urge to become a rule driven profession that is guided by

prescription rather than permission. One that is dedicated to being

collaborative rather than subordinate. One that is dedicated to research

rather than self-policing. One that seeks legislative changes rather than

be victim of political inactivity. One that puts the physical therapist

back into physical therapy. One where the physical therapist is the force

multiplier in musculoskeletal medicine.

Todd, outpatient PT will be fine. As to your friend wanting to open up a

clinic, that is an entirely different question and answer.

Larry Benz PT

CONFIDENTIALITY: This message is " Off The Record " . A lot of fancy legal

speak that none of us reads or understands is often contained here.

On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 12:45 PM, Vermilion PT <vpt@...

<mailto:vpt%40vermilionpt.com> > wrote:

> **

>

>

> Dear List,

>

> A colleague of mine asked my opinion of the future of Outpatient PT.

> With me being an owner for nearly 15 years, he thought I would be a good

> source of information to help him decide if he should open a clinic of

> his own. After much thought, I still can't give him an answer that I

> feel comfortable with. With the possibility of Medicare cuts, ObamaCare

> around the corner and any other circumstances, what are your thoughts on

> the future of OPPT?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Todd Rodrigue

> Vermilion PT

> Abbeville, LA

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Larry,

Love your responses as usual; however, I would like to hear expanded opinion

on one point you made. " Yes, we can thrive provided we resist the

natural urge to become a rule driven profession that is guided by

prescription rather than permission. "

Maybe it's been a long day and I would love to hear your clarity on this.

It seems we need to function in both roles to some degrees. Sometimes we

act as a conduit to enhance another professions examination, as part of the

team, and give other ideas in the summary (EMG studies, WC evaluations, help

with the diagnosis/prognosis, wound care team, etc.) Certainly this is not

the bulk of practices but a part of the medical team or part of a hospital

practice.

Steve Passmore PT, MS

Healthy Recruiting Tools

spass@...

Phone:

Fax:

" What We Did For You Yesterday Is History. What Can We Do For You Today "

Recruiting Tools: Cold Calls ~ List Enhancement ~ Direct Mailers ~ Card

Design ~ Recruiting Software

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf

Of Larry Benz

Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 7:06 AM

To: PTManager

Subject: Re: Future of OPPT

Todd:

This is a question that is very frequently asked and I appreciate you

bringing it to the list.

On the one hand, you can't argue with statistics. America is getting older

yet maintaining an active lifestyle including working into later years.

What profession is best suited to keep them at maximum function? There

is a growing body of evidence that puts efficacy and cost-effectiveness

right between the eyes of a PT an an outpatient environment. On the other

hand, we have a grossly over regulated environment with constraints

from every imaginable force including a reimbursement climate that wants to

pay a doctoring profession on a technician level. On top of all this, we

have 210+ schools all vying for higher tuition and more years in school

making students indebted and then seeking a job based on pay rather than

passion and often that is not in outpatient environments.

However, I would put the responsibility of " survival " on the backs of our

own rather than externalities. Yes, we can thrive provided we resist the

natural urge to become a rule driven profession that is guided by

prescription rather than permission. One that is dedicated to being

collaborative rather than subordinate. One that is dedicated to research

rather than self-policing. One that seeks legislative changes rather than

be victim of political inactivity. One that puts the physical therapist

back into physical therapy. One where the physical therapist is the force

multiplier in musculoskeletal medicine.

Todd, outpatient PT will be fine. As to your friend wanting to open up a

clinic, that is an entirely different question and answer.

Larry Benz PT

CONFIDENTIALITY: This message is " Off The Record " . A lot of fancy legal

speak that none of us reads or understands is often contained here.

On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 12:45 PM, Vermilion PT <vpt@...

<mailto:vpt%40vermilionpt.com> > wrote:

> **

>

>

> Dear List,

>

> A colleague of mine asked my opinion of the future of Outpatient PT.

> With me being an owner for nearly 15 years, he thought I would be a good

> source of information to help him decide if he should open a clinic of

> his own. After much thought, I still can't give him an answer that I

> feel comfortable with. With the possibility of Medicare cuts, ObamaCare

> around the corner and any other circumstances, what are your thoughts on

> the future of OPPT?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Todd Rodrigue

> Vermilion PT

> Abbeville, LA

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Larry,

Love your responses as usual; however, I would like to hear expanded opinion

on one point you made. " Yes, we can thrive provided we resist the

natural urge to become a rule driven profession that is guided by

prescription rather than permission. "

Maybe it's been a long day and I would love to hear your clarity on this.

It seems we need to function in both roles to some degrees. Sometimes we

act as a conduit to enhance another professions examination, as part of the

team, and give other ideas in the summary (EMG studies, WC evaluations, help

with the diagnosis/prognosis, wound care team, etc.) Certainly this is not

the bulk of practices but a part of the medical team or part of a hospital

practice.

Steve Passmore PT, MS

Healthy Recruiting Tools

spass@...

Phone:

Fax:

" What We Did For You Yesterday Is History. What Can We Do For You Today "

Recruiting Tools: Cold Calls ~ List Enhancement ~ Direct Mailers ~ Card

Design ~ Recruiting Software

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf

Of Larry Benz

Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 7:06 AM

To: PTManager

Subject: Re: Future of OPPT

Todd:

This is a question that is very frequently asked and I appreciate you

bringing it to the list.

On the one hand, you can't argue with statistics. America is getting older

yet maintaining an active lifestyle including working into later years.

What profession is best suited to keep them at maximum function? There

is a growing body of evidence that puts efficacy and cost-effectiveness

right between the eyes of a PT an an outpatient environment. On the other

hand, we have a grossly over regulated environment with constraints

from every imaginable force including a reimbursement climate that wants to

pay a doctoring profession on a technician level. On top of all this, we

have 210+ schools all vying for higher tuition and more years in school

making students indebted and then seeking a job based on pay rather than

passion and often that is not in outpatient environments.

However, I would put the responsibility of " survival " on the backs of our

own rather than externalities. Yes, we can thrive provided we resist the

natural urge to become a rule driven profession that is guided by

prescription rather than permission. One that is dedicated to being

collaborative rather than subordinate. One that is dedicated to research

rather than self-policing. One that seeks legislative changes rather than

be victim of political inactivity. One that puts the physical therapist

back into physical therapy. One where the physical therapist is the force

multiplier in musculoskeletal medicine.

Todd, outpatient PT will be fine. As to your friend wanting to open up a

clinic, that is an entirely different question and answer.

Larry Benz PT

CONFIDENTIALITY: This message is " Off The Record " . A lot of fancy legal

speak that none of us reads or understands is often contained here.

On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 12:45 PM, Vermilion PT <vpt@...

<mailto:vpt%40vermilionpt.com> > wrote:

> **

>

>

> Dear List,

>

> A colleague of mine asked my opinion of the future of Outpatient PT.

> With me being an owner for nearly 15 years, he thought I would be a good

> source of information to help him decide if he should open a clinic of

> his own. After much thought, I still can't give him an answer that I

> feel comfortable with. With the possibility of Medicare cuts, ObamaCare

> around the corner and any other circumstances, what are your thoughts on

> the future of OPPT?

>

> Thanks,

>

> Todd Rodrigue

> Vermilion PT

> Abbeville, LA

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Steve:

The tendency within our own profession has been to engage rules, policy,

and policing rather than liberating or allowing a PT practice with their

scope of license. While there are now thankfully efforts to get rid of the

rules and positions that restrict a PT's decision making ability, there is

still a desire to add more rules to what a PT can and cannot do. We want

direct access but don't allow a PT to delegate to who they want. We want

lower copays for PT but won't act on legislation to make it so (KY and a

few others not withstanding). We read about fraud and abuse (outright

criminals) and assume all PT's violate medicare rules. There are a ton of

opportunities and it isn't up to any one party like the APTA to right the

ship-it is up to all of us acting coherently.

Larry Benz PT

Google Voice

office

fax (ouch! scan and email)

www.ptdevelopmentllc.com

CONFIDENTIALITY: This message is " Off The Record " . A lot of fancy legal

speak that none of us reads or understands is often contained here.

On Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 11:03 AM, Steve Passmore <spass@...

> wrote:

> **

>

>

> Larry,

>

> Love your responses as usual; however, I would like to hear expanded

> opinion

> on one point you made. " Yes, we can thrive provided we resist the

>

> natural urge to become a rule driven profession that is guided by

> prescription rather than permission. "

>

> Maybe it's been a long day and I would love to hear your clarity on this.

> It seems we need to function in both roles to some degrees. Sometimes we

> act as a conduit to enhance another professions examination, as part of the

> team, and give other ideas in the summary (EMG studies, WC evaluations,

> help

> with the diagnosis/prognosis, wound care team, etc.) Certainly this is not

> the bulk of practices but a part of the medical team or part of a hospital

> practice.

>

> Steve Passmore PT, MS

>

> Healthy Recruiting Tools

>

> spass@...

>

> Phone:

>

> Fax:

>

> " What We Did For You Yesterday Is History. What Can We Do For You Today "

>

> Recruiting Tools: Cold Calls ~ List Enhancement ~ Direct Mailers ~ Card

> Design ~ Recruiting Software

>

> From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On

> Behalf

> Of Larry Benz

> Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 7:06 AM

> To: PTManager

> Subject: Re: Future of OPPT

>

>

> Todd:

>

> This is a question that is very frequently asked and I appreciate you

> bringing it to the list.

>

> On the one hand, you can't argue with statistics. America is getting older

> yet maintaining an active lifestyle including working into later years.

> What profession is best suited to keep them at maximum function? There

> is a growing body of evidence that puts efficacy and cost-effectiveness

> right between the eyes of a PT an an outpatient environment. On the other

> hand, we have a grossly over regulated environment with constraints

> from every imaginable force including a reimbursement climate that wants to

> pay a doctoring profession on a technician level. On top of all this, we

> have 210+ schools all vying for higher tuition and more years in school

> making students indebted and then seeking a job based on pay rather than

> passion and often that is not in outpatient environments.

>

> However, I would put the responsibility of " survival " on the backs of our

> own rather than externalities. Yes, we can thrive provided we resist the

> natural urge to become a rule driven profession that is guided by

> prescription rather than permission. One that is dedicated to being

> collaborative rather than subordinate. One that is dedicated to research

> rather than self-policing. One that seeks legislative changes rather than

> be victim of political inactivity. One that puts the physical therapist

> back into physical therapy. One where the physical therapist is the force

> multiplier in musculoskeletal medicine.

>

> Todd, outpatient PT will be fine. As to your friend wanting to open up a

> clinic, that is an entirely different question and answer.

>

> Larry Benz PT

>

> CONFIDENTIALITY: This message is " Off The Record " . A lot of fancy legal

> speak that none of us reads or understands is often contained here.

>

> On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 12:45 PM, Vermilion PT <vpt@...

> <mailto:vpt%40vermilionpt.com> > wrote:

>

> > **

>

> >

> >

> > Dear List,

> >

> > A colleague of mine asked my opinion of the future of Outpatient PT.

> > With me being an owner for nearly 15 years, he thought I would be a good

> > source of information to help him decide if he should open a clinic of

> > his own. After much thought, I still can't give him an answer that I

> > feel comfortable with. With the possibility of Medicare cuts, ObamaCare

> > around the corner and any other circumstances, what are your thoughts on

> > the future of OPPT?

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Todd Rodrigue

> > Vermilion PT

> > Abbeville, LA

> >

> >

>

>

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Steve:

The tendency within our own profession has been to engage rules, policy,

and policing rather than liberating or allowing a PT practice with their

scope of license. While there are now thankfully efforts to get rid of the

rules and positions that restrict a PT's decision making ability, there is

still a desire to add more rules to what a PT can and cannot do. We want

direct access but don't allow a PT to delegate to who they want. We want

lower copays for PT but won't act on legislation to make it so (KY and a

few others not withstanding). We read about fraud and abuse (outright

criminals) and assume all PT's violate medicare rules. There are a ton of

opportunities and it isn't up to any one party like the APTA to right the

ship-it is up to all of us acting coherently.

Larry Benz PT

Google Voice

office

fax (ouch! scan and email)

www.ptdevelopmentllc.com

CONFIDENTIALITY: This message is " Off The Record " . A lot of fancy legal

speak that none of us reads or understands is often contained here.

On Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 11:03 AM, Steve Passmore <spass@...

> wrote:

> **

>

>

> Larry,

>

> Love your responses as usual; however, I would like to hear expanded

> opinion

> on one point you made. " Yes, we can thrive provided we resist the

>

> natural urge to become a rule driven profession that is guided by

> prescription rather than permission. "

>

> Maybe it's been a long day and I would love to hear your clarity on this.

> It seems we need to function in both roles to some degrees. Sometimes we

> act as a conduit to enhance another professions examination, as part of the

> team, and give other ideas in the summary (EMG studies, WC evaluations,

> help

> with the diagnosis/prognosis, wound care team, etc.) Certainly this is not

> the bulk of practices but a part of the medical team or part of a hospital

> practice.

>

> Steve Passmore PT, MS

>

> Healthy Recruiting Tools

>

> spass@...

>

> Phone:

>

> Fax:

>

> " What We Did For You Yesterday Is History. What Can We Do For You Today "

>

> Recruiting Tools: Cold Calls ~ List Enhancement ~ Direct Mailers ~ Card

> Design ~ Recruiting Software

>

> From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On

> Behalf

> Of Larry Benz

> Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 7:06 AM

> To: PTManager

> Subject: Re: Future of OPPT

>

>

> Todd:

>

> This is a question that is very frequently asked and I appreciate you

> bringing it to the list.

>

> On the one hand, you can't argue with statistics. America is getting older

> yet maintaining an active lifestyle including working into later years.

> What profession is best suited to keep them at maximum function? There

> is a growing body of evidence that puts efficacy and cost-effectiveness

> right between the eyes of a PT an an outpatient environment. On the other

> hand, we have a grossly over regulated environment with constraints

> from every imaginable force including a reimbursement climate that wants to

> pay a doctoring profession on a technician level. On top of all this, we

> have 210+ schools all vying for higher tuition and more years in school

> making students indebted and then seeking a job based on pay rather than

> passion and often that is not in outpatient environments.

>

> However, I would put the responsibility of " survival " on the backs of our

> own rather than externalities. Yes, we can thrive provided we resist the

> natural urge to become a rule driven profession that is guided by

> prescription rather than permission. One that is dedicated to being

> collaborative rather than subordinate. One that is dedicated to research

> rather than self-policing. One that seeks legislative changes rather than

> be victim of political inactivity. One that puts the physical therapist

> back into physical therapy. One where the physical therapist is the force

> multiplier in musculoskeletal medicine.

>

> Todd, outpatient PT will be fine. As to your friend wanting to open up a

> clinic, that is an entirely different question and answer.

>

> Larry Benz PT

>

> CONFIDENTIALITY: This message is " Off The Record " . A lot of fancy legal

> speak that none of us reads or understands is often contained here.

>

> On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 12:45 PM, Vermilion PT <vpt@...

> <mailto:vpt%40vermilionpt.com> > wrote:

>

> > **

>

> >

> >

> > Dear List,

> >

> > A colleague of mine asked my opinion of the future of Outpatient PT.

> > With me being an owner for nearly 15 years, he thought I would be a good

> > source of information to help him decide if he should open a clinic of

> > his own. After much thought, I still can't give him an answer that I

> > feel comfortable with. With the possibility of Medicare cuts, ObamaCare

> > around the corner and any other circumstances, what are your thoughts on

> > the future of OPPT?

> >

> > Thanks,

> >

> > Todd Rodrigue

> > Vermilion PT

> > Abbeville, LA

> >

> >

>

>

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Share on other sites

,

Just as I was begining to feel a little better about the country following the

Clint Eastwood Superbowl commercial. Guess I should go back to my previous plan

of stocking up on bullets and food.

Seriously though regarding our profesion, I believe each generation of PT's

would say that things are harder now than they were 10 years ago and that they

will continue to get harder. I think this is unlikely to change.

Joe Ruzich, PT

>

>

>

>

> Dear Group,

>

> The math is simple. The cycle is coming. Actuaries explain to us that a

deleveraging financial economy of debt deflation can only lead to a

Japanese-style deflation spiral. Economists agree that deflation is much more

painful to swallow than inflation. The developed nations (the West and Europe)

are in a serious downward debt spiral...currently led by Europe. In this

increasingly globalized world, the developing eastern nations led by China are

flush with tremendous labor capacity (over a billion ready and able to make

gadgets for you straight from China, a country 4x the size of USA). This will

put HUGE downward pressure on US and European wage income. Falling wages for

developed economies coupled with rising wages for developing econimies. This is

in the NOW and the FUTURE.

>

> Debt/Deflation Downward Spiral:

>

> Retirees and Pensions will be exhausting SS/ Medicare and Govt Pension Funds

----> massive taxes on the working class----> less discretionary income---->

falling asset prices----> falling wage income----> decreased tax receipts---->

More Gov't Borrowing ----> UNKNOWN CLIFF

>

>

> European Central Banks and the US Federal Reserve are resisting this

deleveraging/deflation using opposite rules of economics.

>

> Europe is implementing Austerity to curb the debt spiral while the USA is

implementingan opposite method called " quantitative easing " or printing money

by giving it to banks at 0%. It is expected that banks will lend to you and me

and make a 3-5% profit margin over 0%.

> Japan tried the later for 20 years and it did nothing to stop prices and wages

falling for over 2 decades. THE DEMAND FOR DEBT IS TOO LOW.

> Who is going to buy that baby-boomer's 5500 sqft. home on Long Island when

they are empty nestors left with 25k in yearly real-estate taxes? Your 30 year

college-debt paying son making 65k per year?

>

> How will this effect Physical Therapy? I think it's much easier to just make

Pizza and still earn over 200k a year in cash income.

>

> Meli

> Bayside, NY

>

>

>

>

> Re: Future of OPPT

>

> Todd,

> I went to a continuing ed course a couple of years back given by Arnie

Cisneros, the president of Home Health Strategic Management. He pointed out some

interesting facts that may be applicable to the OPPT industry. Every time that

to government would increase restrictions on HH therapy and revenues, therapists

would always fear that the profession would not survive. Perhaps no other

segment has been more regulated and restricted more than the HH therapy

industry. Each time these restrictions are enforced, therapists have learned to

adapt and change the way they do business. Increasing efficiency and decreasing

costs, and yes, decreasing the amount of care. But insurance and therapy

companies can still show that they can still achieve good outcomes with less.

>

> We will have to adapt and make the necessary changes in how we practice. We

should also increase our support of the APTA to continue to fight the good

fight.

>

> Duane

> Mesa, AZ.

>

>

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,

I dont care for Starbucks coffee much either, I do however appreciate their

marketing genius and wish that I had picked up some stock in the early days. Yes

high frequency trading makes it harder for the small guy, however it is still

quite possible to make money in the market, I have been and I'm no Warren

Buffett.   I think the same will appy to PT. I agree that things will be moving

toward " boutique " practices and the mills will die. I never felt they should be

around anyway. This would be a good thing for patient care, which as

pointed out is really the most improtant issue.

,

Thanks for the positive sentiments.

Joe Ruzich, PT

Peublo, CO

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