Payer Policies Lesson
Live Stream and Chat: Friday, August 1 @ 2pm EST
This resource is available for:
- Explorer Pass
- Annual Amplifier
- Student Amplifier (6 months, annual, 2 year)
- Faculty Amplifiers
Protected Content
This material is reserved as a special perk for individuals with an Explorer Pass, Student Memberships, or the Annual Amplifier Membership. Please log in to access this content, or you can upgrade at the links provided.
Thanks!
Course Description
Stay ahead of the curve with this comprehensive payer policy update from AOTA’s regulatory and payment policy experts. Designed for occupational therapy practitioners, this session breaks down critical updates impacting Medicare Part A & B, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid MCOs, and commercial payers.
From proposed reimbursement changes and telehealth policy shifts to advocacy wins and ongoing efforts around prior authorization and sensory integration coverage, this course equips you with the insights and tools you need to navigate today’s complex payer landscape. Learn how health policy shapes your practice—and what you can do to protect it.
Speakers
Kim Karr, OTR/L, CPHQ, RAC-CT
Kim is an occupational therapist with more than 24 years of experience in acute and post-acute care settings as a treating practitioner, clinic manager, denials specialist, and corporate clinical director. In her current role in AOTA’s Regulatory Affairs Department as the Coding and Payment Policy Manager, Kim’s focus is on payer policies and advocacy opportunities within Medicare Part B and other payers; supporting AOTA’s coding and billing initiatives at the state and federal level.
Julie Lenhardt
Julie Lenhardt is the Manager of Reimbursement and Regulatory Policy for the American Occupational Therapy Association. She monitors payment policy across the spectrum of payers including Medicare Part B, commercial insurance, Medicare Advantage, and Medicaid and writes comment letters on health care policy issues that affect access to and payment for occupational therapy services, with a focus on private practice settings.
In addition, Ms. Lenhardt participates in meetings with federal agencies including the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and commercial insurance companies and answers member questions concerning payment policies and interpretation of those policies. Ms. Lenhardt has worked on health policy issues including coding, documentation, and utilization management at the national level for the past 15 years and spent 10 years in billing and administration at the clinic level. She holds a BA in Biology from Randolph-Macon College and is currently working on her certification as a Managed Healthcare Professional from AHIP.