new definitions have been added , such as " care-partner " or " caregiver ," emphasizing the collaborative nature of care in OT practice .
• Expanded Role of OTAs : The reauthorization clarifies that OTAs work under appropriate supervision but also in partnership with OTs , highlighting the collaborative aspect of their roles .
• Revised Definition of Occupational Therapy : The Act broadens the definition of occupational therapy , emphasizing the therapeutic use of everyday activities to support occupational performance and participation . It also specifies that OT practice includes evaluation , intervention , and the use of advanced techniques such as telehealth .
• Scope of OT Services : The range of services covered under OT practice has been expanded to include advanced modalities like dry needling , assistive technology , pain management , and lymphedema and wound care management , among others .
• Licensee Obligations : The reauthorization imposes new requirements for OTs and OTAs to keep their contact information updated with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation within 14 days of any changes .
Home Healthcare Legislation
In-home services remain a vital area for OT expertise and 2024 legislation ranged from payment to policy issues in this area of the profession .
The Illinois Community Care Program ( CCP ) remains an established avenue of state investment to help older adults who might otherwise need nursing home care to remain in their homes by providing in-home and community-based services .
Effective January 1 , 2025 , Public Act 103-670 modifies determination of need and co-payment requirements , and requires the Department of Aging to pay an enhanced rates to those in-home service provider agencies that offer health insurance coverage as a benefit to their direct service worker employees .
Two other home healthcare laws will be effective January 1 , 2025 as a result of 2024 legislation :
• Public Act 103-734 amends the Home Health , Home Services , and Home Nursing Agency Licensing Act and the Hospice Program Licensing Act , Providing that the Department of Public Health may not charge any fee to a certified local health department in connection with the licensure of a home health agency or hospice program .
• Public Act 103-1035 amends the Family Caregiver Act , providing in a provision concerning the Department on Aging ' s contract with area agencies on aging , that services under the Act must be provided according to the requirements of State and federal law and rules ( rather than according to the requirements of federal law and rules , except for the provision of services to grandparents or older individuals who are relative caregivers when State funding is utilized to provide those services ).
Disability Access & Equity Legislation
Several areas of disability access and equity were passed by the legislature and signed into law by the Governor this year .
• Public Act 103-621 provides that a veteran with a disability or the veteran ' s caregiver shall not be charged any building permit fee for improvements to the residence of the veteran with a disability if the improvements are required to accommodate a disability of the veteran .
• Public Act 103-709 provides that ( i ) the Customized Employment Demonstration Program shall consist
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