Hello APTA Iowa!

Thank you to all who completed the Chapter Bylaws survey. The Bylaws Task Force has begun work on data analysis including theme identification to present at the January 2026 Board meeting. I also reached out to APTA leadership to request resources as we work toward alignment with APTA Bylaws.

APTA Iowa allocated resources to assist and support rehab agencies as they educate Iowa Medicaid and legislators about the unintentional impact of the speech code payment changes which went into effect December 1. Thank you to Doug Struyk (APTA Iowa Legislative Counsel), Steve Cassabaum (Legislative Committee Chair), and Randy Bolt (Payment and Policy Committee Chair) for guidance on strategy and messaging to advocate for services for this vulnerable pediatric population.

I attended the Payment and Policy Committee meeting with Iowa Total Care on December 16. We are also working with Wellpoint to schedule a meeting in January 2026. Your concerns about prior authorization, denials, and their peer-to-peer process were shared. We asked for an increase in the number of visits without prior authorization.

The recommendation by Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Rulemaking Committee to designate the doctor of physical therapy degree and many other health professions degrees as graduate rather than professional degrees could reshape our profession. This proposed rule is published for public comment in early 2026.

Congratulations to APTA Iowa members

• Steve Cassabaum received the 2025 Private Practice Community Impact Award
• Alissa Thompson was elected as a delegate for the PTA Council

Save these 2026 dates:

• Early Professional SIG virtual happy hour – Thursday, January 22 at 7:00 p.m.
• APTA Iowa Day on the Hill - Wednesday, Feb. 25
• Legislator breakfast with members 7:00-9:00 a.m.
• Student activities at 11:00 a.m.
• APTA Iowa Spring Conference – April 15 and 16, 2026
• Wed., April 15 PM – Issues Forum & Advocacy Reception (5:30-7:30 pm)
• Thurs., April 16 - Chapter Business Meeting and CEU: Integrating Neurodynamics and Pain Science presented by Adriaan Louw

May your holiday season be filled with joy,

Sue Bravard, PT, MS