Physical Therapy Month: Why PT Still Matters in Post-Acute Care

October is Physical Therapy Month, a time to recognize the essential role physical therapy (PT) plays in post-acute care. While the last several years have brought major changes in reimbursement models, one truth remains: physical therapy is still one of the most powerful tools we have to help individuals recover, maintain independence, and live with dignity.

As of 2025, all states have transitioned away from Resource Utilization Groups (RUG) and into the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM). This shift has raised important questions for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) about how therapy services be delivered, how reimbursement affects therapy planning, and if PT still holds the same value in today’s post-acute care landscape.

At Health Advisory Partners by Aegis Therapies®, we believe physical therapy remains a cornerstone of quality care, regardless of reimbursement models. Here’s why.

From RUG to PDPM: A Major Shift in Reimbursement

For years, SNFs were reimbursed under RUG, a model that tied payments directly to the number of therapy minutes delivered. While this incentivized therapy provision, it sometimes led to therapy delivery being shaped more by billing requirements than by individualized patient needs.

With the introduction of PDPM, reimbursement is no longer based on therapy minutes. Instead, it is driven by patient characteristics, clinical conditions, and functional status. The model was phased in across the country, and while some states took longer to transition, as of 2025 every state is has adopted PDPM.

This change created anxiety for many SNFs: Would therapy services be reduced? Would PT still be prioritized when therapy minutes no longer directly drive payment?

Why PT Still Matters Under PDPM

The short answer: yes, PT matters more than ever. Even if therapy minutes aren’t tied to reimbursement, physical therapy continues to deliver outcomes that directly impact quality measures, resident satisfaction, and overall facility success.

Here’s how:

1. Improved Outcomes and Independence

Physical therapy helps residents regain mobility, strength, and function after illness, injury, or surgery. Whether it’s relearning how to walk after a hip fracture or maintaining balance to prevent falls, PT enables residents to achieve their highest possible level of independence. These outcomes not only improve quality of life but also reduce the need for long-term institutional care.

2. Reduced Rehospitalizations

Unplanned hospital readmissions are costly, disruptive, and emotionally draining for residents and families. PT interventions (such as gait training, fall prevention, and strengthening) play a proven role in reducing rehospitalizations. Under PDPM, where rehospitalization rates directly affect facility ratings and financial performance, PT is an invaluable safeguard.

3. Enhanced Quality Measures

CMS tracks multiple quality measures that SNFs are evaluated on, from mobility outcomes to falls with injury. PT interventions directly improve these metrics, which influence CMS’ Five-Star Quality Rating, referrals, and reputation in the community. In short: therapy may not drive reimbursement per minute, but it still drives success.

4. Support for Interdisciplinary Care

Physical therapists are key contributors to the interdisciplinary team. Their insights into mobility, safety, and functional status inform nursing care, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and care planning. Under PDPM, where holistic patient characteristics guide reimbursement, PT input is more valuable than ever.

Addressing Misconceptions: Therapy Isn’t “Optional”

Some providers feared that PDPM would lead to reduced therapy services, reasoning that if therapy minutes no longer drive payment, therapy itself could be scaled back. While therapy delivery patterns have changed, the idea that PT is now “optional” is a misconception.

The reality is that therapy is still essential for:

• Regulatory compliance – CMS expects residents to receive services that meet their individualized needs, regardless of reimbursement structures.

• Clinical outcomes – Individuals who receive appropriate therapy achieve better functional outcomes and reduce costly complications.

• Market competitiveness – Families and referral partners look closely at outcomes like mobility and independence when choosing a skilled nursing facility.

In essense, reducing PT may save time in the short term, but it risks poor outcomes, compliance issues, and long-term financial losses.

Why Facilities Should Continue Investing in PT

SNFs that prioritize PT under PDPM are positioning themselves for stronger outcomes and better resident experiences. Here’s why investing in therapy remains the right decision:

• Better clinical outcomes = better financial outcomes. Rehospitalization penalties, survey deficiencies, and poor quality ratings all cost more than therapy minutes ever did.

• Resident satisfaction drives census. Families notice whether their loved ones are improving, and PT often delivers the most visible progress.

• Therapy is part of your brand. Facilities that showcase strong therapy programs attract more referrals from hospitals and physicians.

Physical Therapy Month: Celebrating the Value of PT

During Physical Therapy Month, it’s important to recognize the dedicated physical therapists and therapy teams who continue to deliver life-changing outcomes every day. Their work may no longer be measured in minutes, but its impact is measured in steps regained, falls prevented, and lives improved.

At HAP, we encourage providers to use Physical Therapy Month as an opportunity to:

• Highlight success stories of residents who achieved independence through therapy.

• Educate staff and families about the ongoing value of PT under PDPM.

• Recommit to making therapy a priority in care planning and daily practice.

How HAP Supports Physical Therapy Success

We understand that navigating reimbursement changes while maintaining high-quality physical therapy can be challenging. That’s why HAP partners with skilled nursing facilities to help ensure therapy remains a core strength, not a casualty of payment models.

Our support includes:

• Clinical training to help staff adapt to PDPM and maximize therapy’s impact.

• Care planning expertise to integrate PT into interdisciplinary workflows.

• Compliance oversight to help ensure therapy services meet CMS expectations.

• Quality improvement initiatives that leverage PT to reduce rehospitalizations and improve outcomes.

By working with HAP, providers can keep therapy aligned with compliance, quality measures, and resident-centered care.

Reimbursement models will continue to evolve, but the value of physical therapy in post-acute care is constant. PT empowers residents to move, recover, and live with independence. It strengthens quality measures, reduces costly complications, and supports the interdisciplinary team in delivering holistic care.

As we celebrate Physical Therapy Month, let’s remember that therapy is not just about minutes or billing codes; it’s about outcomes, dignity, and quality of life. And under PDPM, that matters more than ever.

Contact HAP today to learn how our expert support can help your team deliver better outcomes, stay compliant, and enhance resident care.

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