[Note: This article was published in October, 2023. Mathematica announced that it began sending participation invitations in February, 2024, and plans to do a second round of invitations in March/April.]

Be on the lookout: An important opportunity to help shape practice expense estimates — which directly translate into what PTs and PTAs are paid for services — will soon be offered to a sample of physical therapy practices across the country, and your input is critical.

Over the coming months, practices may receive an invitation to participate in a practice information survey conducted by Mathematica on behalf of the American Medical Association. The survey is part of an effort to update data on practice costs among providers across the country, a key factor in making valuation decisions that ultimately affect payment. APTA is urging maximum participation throughout the physical therapy community to reflect the current state of practice costs — the last survey was conducted 15 years ago.

How It Works
Practices included in the survey will receive an email from ppisurvey@mathematica-mpr.com as well as a U.S. Postal Service priority mail packet with a link to the survey and supporting information. The survey should be completed by the person at the practice best able to answer questions about finances and expenses for the practice in 2022 at the specialty level. The individual responding to the survey should have access to the practice's 2022 federal tax forms, 2022 payroll information, and the practice's accounting and financial reporting software.

You don't have to complete the survey in one sitting. Just click the "Save and Next" button before exiting the survey and you'll be able to pick up where you left off when you return. Deadline for completion is June 2024. Questions? Contact alicebell@apta.org.