Policy and Payment Changes Create New Opportunities for Occupational Therapy in Acute Care.

Abstract

Changes in health care policy and payment over the past decade have resulted in a greater emphasis on cost effectiveness, quality outcomes, and the health care consumer's experience. Payers' response to the new policies and their expectations have created expanded opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners in health care overall but particularly in acute care hospitals. The objective of this article is to empower occupational therapy directors, practitioners, educators, and students to be proactive in a rapidly changing acute care setting. Research on policy and payment changes since the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Pub. L. 111-148) was synthesized with evidence related to occupational therapy practice and education. Occupational therapy practitioners in acute care environments are experiencing expanded roles in optimizing patient readiness for safe community discharge, decreasing lengths of stay, and protecting them from hospital-acquired conditions. Policy and payment initiatives reward health care organizations for the added value occupational therapy practitioners bring to acute care teams. This article details how occupational therapy practitioners can advance consumer satisfaction, outcomes, and efficiency in acute care, which can lead to increased recognition of the vital role that occupational therapy can play, thus leading to expanded opportunities.