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ADVOCACY UPDATE- ACTION NEEDED NOW

SB480, Limiting certain prior authorization requirements for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and similar rehabilitative services, is a bill that would require insurance companies allow 12 visits before asking for authorization. Currently, insurance companies often require the clinician to submit the evaluation prior to continued treatment being authorized. The approval process can legally take up to 30 days before authorization is approved.

This bill would prevent that gap in care, and assure that clients receive the services they need in a timely manner without the fear of denial.

READ THE BILL HERE

It is a bipartisan bill, which will help support successful passage HOWEVER, that is not a guarantee. We are asking you to reach out to the committee members now to let them know that you support SB480. If you have an anecdote that is appropriate to share, personal stories have impact.

Here are the emails for the healthcare committee:

David.rochefort@gc.nh.gov

Kevin.Avard@gc.nh.gov

Regina.Birdsell@gc.nh.gov

Suzanne.Prentiss@gc.nh.gov

Pat.long@gc.nh.gov

Sophie.walsh@gc.nh.gov

Stay tuned for more information. When the bill is heard in committee, there will be an opportunity to submit support for the bill online.

For more information, please email advocacy@nhota.org

Need help getting started? A sample letter is below for your use!

[Your Name, Credentials]
[Your Title / Discipline: PT/OT/SLP]
[Your Clinic or Organization]
[Street Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]

The Honorable [Representative’s Name]
New Hampshire House of Representatives

[Office Address]

Dear Representative [Last Name],

I am writing to you as a practicing [physical / occupational / speech] therapist in New Hampshire to respectfully request your support for legislation that would eliminate preauthorization requirements for outpatient therapy services unless a patient requires more than 12 visits, SB480. SB480 represents an essential step toward ensuring timely, effective, and uninterrupted care for the patients we serve.

As healthcare providers, we routinely witness the negative impact that preauthorization requirements have on patient health, safety, and functional outcomes. The administrative burden associated with preauthorization has grown to an unsustainable level for therapy practices across the state:

· 40% reported waiting five business days or longer for authorization decisions—delays that directly postpone the start of urgently needed therapy.

· As a result, 90% of providers reported delays in treatment initiation.

· Most concerning, more than 41% of outpatient therapy practices reported at least one adverse event occurring while a patient awaited preauthorization.

· 80% of New Hampshire outpatient therapy practices surveyed reported needing dedicated staff solely to manage preauthorization requests.

· Over 97% reported experiencing a moderate to high administrative burden associated with these requirements.

These statistics reflect what we see daily: preauthorization processes frequently force patients to delay or abandon treatment, placing them at risk for worsened conditions, avoidable decline in function, unnecessary medical visits, and prolonged recovery. Providers often spend excessive time navigating preauthorization instead of dedicating those hours to direct patient care. This burden is especially challenging for small and rural practices that do not have the administrative infrastructure to absorb these demands.

A 12-visit threshold before requiring preauthorization is a reasonable and evidence-informed approach. It balances the need for payer oversight with the clinical reality that timely access to therapy is essential for preventing deterioration, reducing long-term healthcare costs, and supporting patient independence. Early intervention is often the determining factor in whether a patient returns to work, avoids surgery, or remains safe in their home.

Passing SB480 would reduce unnecessary administrative barriers, improve patient outcomes, and allow therapists across our state to focus on delivering high-quality, effective care. I urge you to support this legislation and stand with patients and providers who are working to ensure access to timely therapy services.

Thank you for your consideration and for your commitment to improving healthcare for the people of New Hampshire. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this further or provide additional information from the clinical perspective.

Sincerely,
[Your Name, Credentials]
[Your Title / Clinic / Organization]

HB1051

Dear Colleagues,

I’m writing to encourage your support for New Hampshire House Bill 1051 (HB 1051), currently before the Legislature. This bill would establish a study commission to explore the creation of a statewide fingerprinting and background check database in New Hampshire.

Why this matters to occupational therapists:

Streamlines background checks: Therapists working in multiple school districts or programs often undergo repeated fingerprinting and background checks. A centralized database could reduce delays, duplication, and administrative burden.
Improves access to work: Faster and more efficient background clearances can help occupational therapists start work more quickly in schools and other settings where these checks are required.
Informed decision-making: The commission will review current procedures, identify barriers in professional fingerprint and background practices, and examine models from other states - helping to shape practical recommendations.
Potential cost insights: The study will also evaluate costs associated with a centralized system, which can inform future policy without committing to implementation upfront.

HB 1051 would not itself create the database, but establish the foundation for smarter, more efficient checks that benefit providers, employers, and the public.

Please consider contacting the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee to express support for HB 1051 before the committee hearing. Streamlining background checks is a practical reform that helps reduce barriers to practice and supports timely delivery of occupational therapy services across New Hampshire.

Thank you for advocating for policies that strengthen our profession.

the NHOTA Advocacy Committee

_________________________________________________________

The bill is being considered in the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. Here is a link to that committee.

For more information, please email advocacy@nhota.org

Need help getting started? A sample letter is below for your use!

[Office Address]

Dear Representative/Senator [Last Name],

I am a New Hampshire constituent writing to urge your support for HB 1051, which would establish a study commission to examine the use of a statewide fingerprinting and background check system for school-based service providers.

HB 1051 has the support of the New Hampshire Department of Education and would bring together key stakeholders from state agencies, the legislature, and private service providers to evaluate whether New Hampshire can responsibly and legally leverage an existing fingerprinting framework—such as RSA 189:13-B, currently used for school bus drivers—for related service providers working in schools. The commission would also address important considerations related to federal requirements, including FBI involvement, to ensure any future system has broad buy-in and is operationally sound.

This study is an important first step toward reducing unnecessary duplication, lowering administrative costs, and improving the timeliness of critical services such as speech, occupational, and physical therapy—particularly for students with disabilities—while maintaining rigorous safety standards for New Hampshire schoolchildren.

I respectfully ask for your support of HB 1051 and for allowing this collaborative process to move forward.

Sincerely,
[Name…]

[Your Name, Credentials]
[Your Title / Clinic / Organization]

[Town/City, New Hampshire]

About NHOTA

The mission of the New Hampshire Occupational Therapy Association is to advance the practice of occupational therapy in our state. We will accomplish this mission by supporting OT practitioners with education, mentorship opportunities, and fostering communities. We will advocate for the profession's growth and quality at the local, state, and national level. NHOTA will raise awareness an educate the public on the unique contributions of occupational therapy.

Contacts

info@nhota.org