The Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act

February 18, 2025-- An important bipartisan bill has resurfaced, aiming to reduce hospitalizations and save millions in Medicare costs by preventing falls among older adults. The Stopping Addiction and Falls for the Elderly (SAFE) Act, HR 7618, would allow occupational and physical therapists to conduct fall risk assessments during annual Medicare wellness visits. The aim behind the SAFE Act is twofold:

1. To reduce falls among older adults and, 
2. To decrease opioid use that often occurs after a fall injury.

The bill would allow for beneficiaries who were identified as having experienced a fall in the year prior to their Initial Preventive Physical Examination to be referred to a physical therapist for screening and preventive services. In addition, beneficiaries could receive a separate falls risk assessment and potential additional PT services if their annual wellness visit identifies that they've fallen within the previous year. The legislation also requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to report on fall-related injuries and treatments.

Falls affect more than one in four older Americans each year, leading to 41,000 deaths, 3.6 million ER visits, and 1.2 million hospital stays, costing $80 billion annually, according to the CDC.

In assisted living and nursing homes, falls cost an average of $380,000 per year per facility, with larger providers facing costs up to $712,000 annually.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) support the bill, stating it could significantly reduce Medicare expenses by preventing expensive hospital stays. 

Powerback Rehab is participating in an Advocacy Campaign for this important legislation. 

For details see Falls screening returns to congress.

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