The APTA Nebraska podcast provides critical updates on recent healthcare legislation and upcoming events for physical therapists throughout the state. This legislation brings a 2.5% Medicare fee increase for 2026 while highlighting concerns about rural hospital closures and changes to student loan programs.

• Recent "Big Beautiful Bill" signed with 2.5% Medicare fee schedule increase for 2026
• Concerns about Medicaid cuts potentially impacting rural Nebraska hospitals
• New $100,000 cap on grad plus loans affecting PT student financing
• EPSIG Social at Sunny's on September 17th from 7-9pm
• Nebraska PTs participating in Husker Harvest Days Health Exhibit (Sept 9-11)
• "Baseball-a-ween" trunk-or-treat event at Werner Park on October 24
• Jingle Bell Run returning December 6th
• APTA advocacy app available for easy communication with representatives

Download the APTA Advocacy app to stay informed and communicate with your representatives. It's the easiest way to engage in advocacy and make your voice heard.

Episode Links:

• EPSIG Summer Social: Nebraska APTA... - Nebraska Physical Therapy Association | Facebook
• Member Deals: APTA Membership Benefits and Discounts | APTA

The APTA Nebraska membership committee shares their diverse backgrounds and motivation for joining the organization while highlighting the benefits of engagement for physical therapists at all career stages. Members discuss how building professional relationships across practice settings and geographical areas creates a stronger, more connected PT community in Nebraska.

• Committee members include Brad Dexter, Adam Meirose, Candice McCoy, and Nathan Halm.
• Professional networking provides valuable cross-pollination of ideas and solutions across different practice settings
• APTA membership offers tangible benefits including discounted specialty certification exams and access to continuing education
• The organization helps newer graduates find mentorship and study partners, particularly valuable when relocating to new areas
• APTA Engage platform makes it easy to get involved at state and national levels with opportunities matching different time commitments
• Virtual engagement options ensure even rural practitioners can participate and benefit from membership
• Despite being geographically dispersed, the PT community is interconnected with potential for significant collective impact

To get involved with APTA Nebraska, visit the APTA Engage platform through the link in our show notes or reach out directly via the APTA Nebraska email address.

Links:

• Nebraska Physical Therapy Association Home Page
• APTA Engage Link
  • Nebraska Physical Therapy Association - Engage
• APTA Nebraska Email Address
  • info@aptanebraska.org

Mike Stodden and Wendy Bloomhuff of Rock Valley Physical Therapy share their journeys in private practice and innovative solutions for overcoming administrative barriers to provide exceptional patient care. The conversation reveals how passion for patient relationships drives practice decisions, while exploring the challenges of insurance requirements, administrative burdens, and practice management.

• Mike Stodden merged his successful private practice with Rock Valley PT after 17 years to maintain his patient-centered culture
• Wendy Bloomhuff leads Slate, a service helping private practices manage billing and administrative tasks to focus on patient care
• Insurance pre-certifications and administrative burdens create significant challenges for therapists wanting to focus on treatment
• Direct access has changed how physical therapists interact with both patients and referral sources
• The "art of therapy" comes from experience in knowing where to start with patients and how to progress their care
• Rural clinics face unique challenges in maintaining staffing and administrative support
• Building professional relationships through APTA Nebraska provides support, solutions, and community for therapists
• Physical therapists can help reduce healthcare costs by treating patients directly without unnecessary imaging or medications

Episode Links:

Rock Valley Physical Therapy

• www.rockvalleypt.com

Slate

• www.slatept.com

Net Health Therapy Source

• https://www.nethealth.com/therapy-source-emr/