WOTA CALL TO ACTION: SUPPORT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REFORM

ACTION NEEDED BY FRIDAY, JUNE 27

The Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association (WOTA) needs your voice!

The Prior Authorization Reform Bill – LRB 2802, authored by Senator Tomczyk and Representative Wittke, is now being circulated for co-sponsorship in the Legislature. This is the result of hard work by WOTA and our therapy partners.

This is a critical grassroots moment, and your call or email to your legislators can help ensure this bill moves forward. We are looking for bipartisan support, and this is an important first step in the somewhat complicated legislative process—showing legislators that their constituents support this bill is key to gaining co-sponsors and getting it scheduled for a hearing.

This is exactly why WOTA has a lobbyist in Madison—to work on your behalf, with guidance from the board, to advocate for you and your patients every step of the way.

Please remember: your voice and your stories really do make a difference. Legislators want to hear from you! Don’t be intimidated—just speak from your experience.

WHAT THE BILL DOES

LRB 2802 will:

• Require insurance companies to allow the first 12 visits of occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and chiropractic visits without the need for prior authorization. (This is huge!!!!)
• Require insurers to post prior authorization rules and timelines publicly
• Set deadlines for timely decision-making on service requests
• Require clear justification for denials
• Reduce delays for services like occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and chiropractic care

MAKE A CALL (Most Effective)

Call your State Senator and Representative today. It’s OK if a staff member answers or if you leave a message. Always provide your name and home address so they know you're a constituent.

Find your legislators here: https://legis.wisconsin.gov

Sample Call Script:
“Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your City]. I’m also an occupational therapy practitioner. I’m calling to ask Senator/Representative [Last Name] to co-sponsor LRB 2802, the Prior Authorization Reform bill by Senator Tomczyk and Representative Wittke. This bill helps reduce delays for patients and improves access to essential therapy services. Thank you!”

OR SEND AN EMAIL

Emails are helpful too—especially when personalized. Feel free to use this template:

Subject: Please Co-Sponsor LRB 2802 – Prior Authorization Reform

Dear Senator/Representative [Last Name],

I’m writing as a constituent and licensed occupational therapy practitioner to ask you to co-sponsor LRB 2802, introduced by Senator Tomczyk and Representative Wittke.

The bill addresses harmful delays in care caused by burdensome prior authorization requirements. It promotes transparency, timely decisions, and fair access to medically necessary services such as occupational therapy.

These reforms would improve outcomes for patients across Wisconsin. Please consider supporting this important legislation.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Home Address]
[Your Email / Phone Number]

TAKE ACTION BY FRIDAY, JUNE 27th, 2025

This is a big first step, and your participation truly matters. Calls and emails from people like you—those working directly with patients—can influence real change.

Thank you for being part of this process and for everything you do to support the people you serve.
— Your Team at the Wisconsin Occupational Therapy Association