Policy and Payment Changes Create New Opportunities for Occupational Therapy in Acute Care.

Importance: Changes in health care policy and payment over the past decade have resulted in a greater emphasis on cost effectiveness, quality outcomes, and the health care consumer's experience. Payers' response to the new policies and their expectations have created expanded opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners in health care overall but particularly in acute care hospitals.

Objective: The objective of this article is to empower occupational therapy directors, practitioners, educators, and students to be proactive in a rapidly changing acute care setting.