As CEO of JAG Physical Therapy, John Gallucci has long made his mark on physical therapy services in New Jersey and across the region.
Now, he has an opportunity to do more.
Gallucci recently was appointed the board director for affiliate members at the Alliance for Physical Therapy Quality and Innovation.
APTQI was established in 2014 to defend physical therapy against policy threats that restrict the provider community’s ability to provide quality care, such as ongoing cuts to Medicare physician fees.
Gallucci said his leadership role in the organization comes at a crucial time for the profession, as APTQI is working to protect and expand access to quality rehabilitative care nationwide through advocacy work in Washington D.C.
Gallucci said he is aiming to advance the interest of providers and patients throughout the Northeast.
In March, Gallucci joined fellow APTQI leaders in Washington, D.C. for meetings with congressional leaders on Capitol Hill.
Here are some of the issues he and the group are pursuing.
The SAFE Act (House bill 1171): If passed, this would expand Medicare coverage for fall risk assessments. Falls in the senior population are a significant public health that continues to worsen, with projections estimating more than 52 million annual falls by older Americans by 2030, leading to substantial health care costs and follow-up care.
PTs can perform fall risk assessments and treat prior fall patients, which reduces the likelihood of future falls; reduces the need for more invasive treatments like surgery or injections; and helps manage pain, reducing the need for opioid prescriptions.
Medicare fee schedule reform: Reform would stabilize reimbursements for outpatient PT practices. This is a problem that providers across different fields have been facing: a 25-year downward trend, with fees overall decreasing by 33% over that time period, when adjusted for inflation.
Gallucci said these reforms have a huge payoff, as they aim to improve patient access, reduce overall health care costs, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of rehabilitative care, especially for aging populations.
“The physical therapy field is in critical need of legislative support to turn around negative trends that endanger the livelihood of providers,” he said. “In fact, the services we provide are a key solution to not only improve patient outcomes but reduce overall Medicare spending.
“I’m optimistic that my work with APTQI and the relationships we’re building with our elected leaders will help create a better healthcare system that works for Americans.”
APTQI Executive Director Nikesh Patel said he is eager to work with Gallucci.
“JAG Physical Therapy joined APTQI in 2021 and they have been a terrific partner in advocating for our patients and therapists,” he said. “I look forward to continuing to work with John as part of our board to ensure the value of physical therapy is recognized by decision makers.”
