BLOG

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to our OT colleagues throughout Mississippi!  As we look to a new year, I would first like to thank you all for being a part of the Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association (MSOTA)!  As the old adage says, "Together Everyone Achieves More," and this is certainly true as it relates to advocacy and support for our profession.  I would also like to express my gratitude for the past leadership of MSOTA.  Glenda Hux and the previous board has provided extraordinary leadership and growth for MSOTA, and I hope to continue that legacy through my term.
MSOTA should be a great resource for OT practitioners, and with all the changes abounding in healthcare, we certainly need to pull together.  2019 is bringing changes to billing (no more G codes!), changes to skilled nursing reimbursement that will significantly affect the OT industry and OT practice (PDPM), and continued discussions on the roles and reimbursement for OT assistants.  At the state level, discussions will center on Medicaid coverage, licensure administration and portability, telehealth, and many others.  All of these items need our focus and attention as we strive to ensure all have access to occupational therapy.  The time for our organization to strengthen is now!  
 
I have 3 requests from you all as we begin a new year:
1. Talk to your friends about joining or renewing membership in MSOTA!  
2.  Save the date and support MSOTA's Legislative Day on February 6, 2019 from 7:30 am to 11 am at the MS State Capitol
3,  Register and attend the MSOTA Annual Conference on February 23, 2019 in Pearl, MS.  We have a great lineup of expert speakers, exhibitors, and special activities for OT/OTA students preparing to enter the market. Early registration helps us prepare the best conference for you!  
 
With your support, we can grow our network of OT practitioners and continue to support the profession of OT.  Please reach out to me, your district chair, or any member of the board if we can do anything for you.  Continue to share/post on our Facebook and Instagram pages.  With your help, 2019 is going to be a great year for OT!
Warmest regards,
Kelly Crawford, DHA, MSM, OTR/L
President 
Mississippi Occupational Therapy Association

Summer Message

2016 has been marked by the most successful MSOTA Spring Conference to date; an enlightening trip to Chicago to AOTA State Association Presidents meeting in which we received the Creative Management Award for the success of our initiatives in 2015; presenting at the State Policy Forum on our advocacy efforts regarding ABA scope of practice; and attending many policy meetings on topics currently affecting our profession.

Among the issues discussed OT in telehealth/telemedicine was the most prominent topic, followed by the need for a licensure compact in which practitioners can practice along state lines. Another “hot topic” included the new OT CPT Evaluation Code changes recently published in July.

Read More