MEDICARE COVERED PHYSICAL THERAPY MAY BE AN OPTION FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN NO LONGER TAKE PAIN MEDICATIONS

Recent news stories about the increased risk of heart attack for people taking Vioxx, Celebrex, naproxen, and possibly other so called NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), leave people with chronic pain from debilitating diseases such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis feeling as if there is not much that can be done to relieve their pain.

Osteoarthritis, the most common joint disorder, accompanied by pain and stiffness, can often be effectively treated with physical therapy.  Medicare covers physical therapy in a variety of health care settings, including at home - for those who are homebound, in out-patient therapy departments, and in skilled nursing facilities.  Importantly, a cap on payment for out-patient therapy was removed in 2004, paving the way for a longer course of necessary treatment in out-patient facilities.

“People are really in a quandary about how to control the pain of conditions like arthritis” said Ellen Lang, RN, MPH, a registered nurse with the Center for Medicare Advocacy. “Non-drug pain relief can be achieved with a variety of physical therapy services, including, therapeutic and range-of-motion exercises, gait training, and applications of heat. People should speak to their doctor to see if physical therapy would help to relieve pain, now that many pain relief medications are no longer an option.”

© Copyright, Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. 05/05/2008