Winter 2012 Edition
A NEW NAME, AN IMPROVED CONCEPT IN HEALTH PROMOTION, TLC Rehab and Wellness.
Therapy and Living Consultants, PC (TLC) has expanded their services to embrace a state of the art wellness center with a brand new name, TLC Rehab and Wellness. The wellness center includes wheelchair friendly aerobic and strengthening equipment, virtual training programs, a health education kiosk and a dedicated instructional space for a variety of exercise classes and presentations. After six years of bringing quality rehabilitation services to the Atlantic and Cape May Counties, TLC, PC Owners and Physical Therapists Patty Brick, PT, MS, GCS and Jodi Handler, PT, DPT, have extended their physical therapy services to provide a convenient wellness facility at their same "all on one floor" Northfield location. The professional staff, which now incorporates occupational therapy services, offers over fifty years of healthcare experience with a special concentration on the physically disabled and the medically compromised. TLC's clinicians and exercise personnel stand ready to provide wellness and fitness services for the healthy and medically challenged adolescent and adult population. TLC's focus is dedicated to lifespan conditions that include but are not limited to core instability, chronic back pain, pelvic floor dysfunction, post-concussion syndrome, balance issues and fall prevention, conditioning and reconditioning programs. TLC Rehab and Wellness looks forward to helping you move forward in the wellness continuum in the years to come.
Medicare News Now: Important Issues Affecting You
As the end of the year draws near, we find ourselves in a familiar place AGAIN - imploring Congress to extend Medicare's therapy cap exceptions process for our nation's most vulnerable citizens. Until December 31, 2011, a Medicare patient can qualify for an exception from the $1,870 financial limit when the patient's condition requires continued skilled therapy beyond the cap to achieve prior functional status or maximum functional status within a reasonable period of time. Without Congressional action, the therapy cap will return AGAIN on January 1, 2012 at a $1,880 per beneficiary per year cap and the exceptions process will disappear. This is a shared cap for PT and speech/ language pathology services and exemptsthe hospital outpatient department. The cap applies only to private practice outpatient facilities such as TLC. It's extremely frustrating that Congress has not approved a permanent solution to this deeply disturbing problem and we must revisit this issue EVERY year. Call your NJ Representative and urge them to pass legislation that would repeal these financial limits on your Medicare outpatient PT.
CONTACT CONGRESSMAN FRANK LOBIONDO AT 202-225-6572 NOW AND LET HIM KNOW YOUR CONCERNS FOR YOUR FUTURE HEALTHCARE. For additional information and to sign our petition, speak to the staff at TLC, 609-645-8282. We are here to help you move forward to better health.
2012 MEDICARE NEWS - Medicare Part B
Basic Part B Premium has increased to $99.00 per month.
The Medicare B deductible for 2012 has decreased to $140.00. If your secondary insurance carrier does not cover your deductible you will owe this amount to TLC at your first PT visit of the New Year. Beginning 1/1/ 2012, the new Medicare cap is $1,880.00 per beneficiary.
TLC STAFF NEWS
TLC welcomes Jennifer Pierpoint, OTR who has been an Occupational Therapist for 18 years. She graduated with a BS in OT from Quinnipiac University. Her work experience includes acute rehab, outpatient settings, geriatrics, orthopedic and hand therapy, and home-based care. She has been certified in physical agent modalities and is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association. Jen's professional interests include driving rehabilitation, hand therapy, home care modifications and the treatment of visually and neurologically impaired individuals. Jennifer resides in Marmora with her husband George and her 3 boys.
Congratulations to Patty Brick, PT, MS, Geriatric Certified Specialist (GCS), Care Manager, Certified (CMC) has passed her Certification Examination for Care Managers. The examination is administered under the auspices of the National Academy of Certified Care Managers. A Certified Care Manager is a professional advisor who acts as a guide through the world of health care issues such as assessing the level and type of care needed and develop a plan of care; resolve family conflicts and other family issues related to an individual's healthcare, oversee and direct care provided at home and assist families in positive decision-making. For additional information and to see how Patty can advise you, contact our office at 609-645-8282.
TLC congratulates Physical Therapist Tiffany Hoelker, PT, DPT for participation in the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3 Day Walk in and around Philadelphia October 14-16. Team Cure Clan included Tiffany, her brother and sister. Each day they walked 20 miles throughout the City of Brotherly Love. The group rose just shy of $10,000. Hurray Tiffany and can't wait until next year!!
What is your Physical Performance Measure? PPM
At TLC, we use evidence-based outcomes to determine your specific function leading to a better quality of life. These measures are quantitative estimates of future risk for hospitalization and decline in health and function in adults. PPM's serve as easily accessible "vital signs" used to evaluate adults in clinical settings. These measures of physical function are used, for example, to determine the effects of exercise and physical activity. TLC's professional staff will examine your balance, walking speed, endurance, and your ability to do everyday tasks and determine the kinds of therapeutic interventions you need to improve your abilities. We repeat these measures to see how well you are doing over the course of your therapy. These results help us fine-tune your rehab process to move you forward toward your goals. Next time you visit us, ask any one of the staff about our physical performance measures
