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The Amplify OT Podcast

The Amplify OT Podcast

Written by: Clarice Grote MS OTR/L
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The Amplify OT Podcast is your go-to show for making sense of healthcare policy, advocacy, and reimbursement in occupational therapy. Hosted by Clarice Grote—occupational therapist, founder of Amplify OT, and self-proclaimed policy nerd who actually enjoys reading the long documents most people avoid—this podcast breaks down complex systems so you can navigate them with confidence. No matter where you are in your occupational therapy journey—student, new grad, educator, or experienced clinician—you belong here as an important part of our OT Amplifier community. Each episode is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools you need to understand how policy impacts your practice, your patients, and the future of the profession. The work you do matters. Your voice matters. And advocacy isn’t just possible—it’s powerful. So let’s get started—because change starts here.© Amplify OT® and Clarice Grote Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease
Episodes
  • Ep 66: Unpacking Medicaid Work Requirements (and Why They Matter)

    Ep 66: Unpacking Medicaid Work Requirements (and Why They Matter)
    Sep 15 2026
    Medicaid Work Requirements: What Occupational Therapy Practitioners Need to KnowWelcome to The Amplify OT Podcast with your host, Clarice Grote—occupational therapist, founder of Amplify OT, and self-proclaimed policy nerd who actually enjoys reading the long documents most people avoid.No matter where you are in your occupational therapy journey, you belong here as an important part of this community. The work you do matters. Your voice matters. And advocacy isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.Let’s get started—because change starts here.View all Amplify OT Podcast episodes at podcast.amplifyot.comFind where to listen to the Amplify OT Podcast at podcast.amplifyot.com/listen_____________________________________🚨 Overwhelmed by OT policy, billing, and Medicare rules?You’re not alone—and that’s why the Amplify OT Learning Platform exists. Designed by an OT for OTs and OTAs, this on-demand resource hub helps you finally understand the “why” behind the rules so you can advocate confidently, bill accurately, and stop second-guessing your documentation.✨ What you get:✔ Self-paced courses on Medicare, billing, and advocacy✔ Real-world examples and easy-to-digest lessons✔ CEU opportunities to boost your skills and confidence✔ Support from a community that gets itReady to take the guesswork out of OT policy? Join today and amplify your knowledge, your confidence, and your impact.👉 Click here to learn more and get started!_____________________________________Episode SummaryWelcome back to the Amplify OT Podcast! After a year away (and welcoming a new baby!), Clarice is back to dive into some major federal policy updates. In this episode, we unpack the recent passage of H.R.1, the historic budget cuts to Medicaid, and the upcoming national Medicaid work requirements set to take effect January 1, 2027. We explore what these new rules actually mean, who is exempt, and how the new "functional testing" requirement for medical frailty could create both administrative challenges and unique opportunities for occupational therapy practitioners.In this episode, I cover:Life & Amplify OT Updates: A quick personal update and the exciting launch of our new Deluxe Fieldwork Planners.Medicaid 101: A refresher on how Medicaid is funded, who it covers, and why OT is considered an "optional benefit."H.R. 1 & Budget Cuts: Breaking down the massive cuts to Medicaid and how those dollars are being redirected.Work Requirements Explained: What the new 80-hour/month community engagement requirement entails, which states are starting early, and who is exempt.Medical Frailty & Functional Testing: How the new exemption rules work and the specific opportunity for OTs to conduct functional capacity evaluations.The Ripple Effect on OT: How the administrative burden of work requirements could lead to lost coverage for patients and potential budget cuts for therapy services.Your Action Plan: How to advocate for your patients, prepare your clinic, and why joining your state association and AOTA is more important than ever.00:33 Welcome Back & Updates05:42 What Is Medicaid?12:32 The One Big Beautiful Bill23:07 Work Requirements Explained31:34 Functional Testing & OT Opportunity45:43 Call to ActionAmplify OT ResourcesWant to keep learning about how insurance and reimbursement impact you? Then head to AmplifyOT.com to check ‘em out!Additional LearningMedicaid Essentials for Occupational TherapySenate Passes New Version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Impact on Occupational Therapy Practitioners and StudentsCMS Issues Rule for States on Community Engagement RequirementsAOTA & State Associations Respond to Medicaid ConcernsCMS Fact Sheet on Medicaid Community Engagement RequirementsKFF Survey: Challenges with Implementing Work RequirementsAOTA Guide to Tracking State Medicaid Activity_____________________________________Looking for CEUs? Save with MedBridge!Whether you’re a student or practicing clinician, MedBridge has a CEU plan for you—with hundreds of evidence-based courses, clinical resources, and tools to support your OT practice.Amplify OT listeners can save:$101 off individual plans with code AmplifyOT → View PlansUp to $75 off student plans with code AmplifyOTStudent → Student PlansHome Health & Hospice CEUs → Home Health ResourcesCompliance & Annual Training → Compliance TrainingExplore solutions for groups and employers → Group PlansAffiliate disclaimer: These are affiliate links, which means Amplify OT may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps us continue to offer free resources and education for the OT community._____________________________________CONNECT WITH AMPLIFY OT:WebsiteServicesFree NewsletterInstagramLinkedInFacebookTikTok © Amplify OT® and Clarice Grote
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    51 mins
  • Ep 65: Understanding the Benefits and Limitations of Using AI in Healthcare and Clinical Practice

    Ep 65: Understanding the Benefits and Limitations of Using AI in Healthcare and Clinical Practice
    Sep 2 2025
    Understanding the Benefits and Limitations of Using AI in Healthcare and Clinical PracticeWelcome to The Amplify OT Podcast with your host, Clarice Grote—occupational therapist, founder of Amplify OT, and self-proclaimed policy nerd who actually enjoys reading the long documents most people avoid.No matter where you are in your occupational therapy journey, you belong here as an important part of this community. The work you do matters. Your voice matters. And advocacy isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.Let’s get started—because change starts here.View all Amplify OT Podcast episodes at podcast.amplifyot.comFind where to listen to the Amplify OT Podcast at podcast.amplifyot.com/listen_____________________________________🚨 Overwhelmed by OT policy, billing, and Medicare rules?You’re not alone—and that’s why the Amplify OT Learning Platform exists. Designed by an OT for OTs and OTAs, this on-demand resource hub helps you finally understand the “why” behind the rules so you can advocate confidently, bill accurately, and stop second-guessing your documentation.✨ What you get:✔ Self-paced courses on Medicare, billing, and advocacy✔ Real-world examples and easy-to-digest lessons✔ CEU opportunities to boost your skills and confidence✔ Support from a community that gets itReady to take the guesswork out of OT policy? Join today and amplify your knowledge, your confidence, and your impact.👉 Click here to learn more and get started! _____________________________________You’ve probably noticed a lot of buzz (and maybe a bit of anxiety!) about artificial intelligence (AI) coming to healthcare and, more specifically, to the world of occupational therapy. That’s why this week on The Amplify OT Podcast, I am talking about what AI and tools like ChatGPT actually are, how they’re already showing up in everyday OT practice, and what we need to think about when using these tools.In this episode, I cover:What AI, large language models (LLMs), and generative chatbots are and what they aren't.How tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Bard are already embedded in the healthcare tech we use every day, often without us realizing it.Key limitations of AI in clinical practice—why AI can’t replace clinical reasoning, empathy, or the “human touch” of OT.Ways AI is being used in healthcare right now, including documentation support, patient education materials, workflow automation, data analytics, and even advocacy and policy work.What practitioners need to know about using AI tools in compliance with HIPAA and legal regulations.How AI is changing (and challenging) the prior authorization process with insurance, including both possible benefits and problematic denials.Amplify OT ResourcesWant to keep learning about how insurance and reimbursement impact you? Then head to AmplifyOT.com to check ‘em out! _____________________________________Looking for CEUs? Save with MedBridge!Whether you’re a student or practicing clinician, MedBridge has a CEU plan for you—with hundreds of evidence-based courses, clinical resources, and tools to support your OT practice.Amplify OT listeners can save:$101 off individual plans with code AmplifyOT → View PlansUp to $75 off student plans with code AmplifyOTStudent → Student PlansHome Health & Hospice CEUs → Home Health ResourcesCompliance & Annual Training → Compliance TrainingExplore solutions for groups and employers → Group PlansAffiliate disclaimer: These are affiliate links, which means Amplify OT may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps us continue to offer free resources and education for the OT community._____________________________________CONNECT WITH AMPLIFY OT:WebsiteServicesFree NewsletterInstagramLinkedInFacebookTikTok© Amplify OT® and Clarice Grote
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    43 mins
  • Ep 64: Hospice vs Palliative Care: OT's Role in Care and Comfort

    Ep 64: Hospice vs Palliative Care: OT's Role in Care and Comfort
    Jun 3 2025
    Hospice vs Palliative Care: OT's Role in Care and ComfortWelcome to The Amplify OT Podcast with your host, Clarice Grote—occupational therapist, founder of Amplify OT, and self-proclaimed policy nerd who actually enjoys reading the long documents most people avoid.No matter where you are in your occupational therapy journey, you belong here as an important part of this community. The work you do matters. Your voice matters. And advocacy isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.Let’s get started—because change starts here.View all Amplify OT Podcast episodes at podcast.amplifyot.comFind where to listen to the Amplify OT Podcast at podcast.amplifyot.com/listen_____________________________________🚨 Overwhelmed by OT policy, billing, and Medicare rules?You’re not alone—and that’s why the Amplify OT Learning Platform exists. Designed by an OT for OTs and OTAs, this on-demand resource hub helps you finally understand the “why” behind the rules so you can advocate confidently, bill accurately, and stop second-guessing your documentation.✨ What you get:✔ Self-paced courses on Medicare, billing, and advocacy✔ Real-world examples and easy-to-digest lessons✔ CEU opportunities to boost your skills and confidence✔ Support from a community that gets itReady to take the guesswork out of OT policy? Join today and amplify your knowledge, your confidence, and your impact.👉 Click here to learn more and get started! _____________________________________I see many people making the mistake of using the terms hospice and palliative care interchangeably; however, they have distinct differences. I wanted to take some time today to break down those differences, explore OT’s unique role in each setting, and share my tips and personal stories to help practitioners navigate these challenging but rewarding settings. That’s why this week on The Amplify OT Podcast, I am talking about hospice vs. palliative care. In this episode, I cover:The key differences between hospice and palliative care: life-prolonging treatments, eligibility requirements, and the requirement of a DNR (do not resuscitate).How hospice and palliative care are paid for (including Medicare coverage and payment models).What the goals and interventions of OT look like in each of these settings. Practical tips for having tough conversations about end-of-life care and facilitating patient-centered care during some of life’s most difficult transitions.Amplify OT ResourcesWant to keep learning about how insurance and reimbursement impact you? Then head to AmplifyOT.com to check ‘em out! _____________________________________Looking for CEUs? Save with MedBridge!Whether you’re a student or practicing clinician, MedBridge has a CEU plan for you—with hundreds of evidence-based courses, clinical resources, and tools to support your OT practice.Amplify OT listeners can save:$101 off individual plans with code AmplifyOT → View PlansUp to $75 off student plans with code AmplifyOTStudent → Student PlansHome Health & Hospice CEUs → Home Health ResourcesCompliance & Annual Training → Compliance TrainingExplore solutions for groups and employers → Group PlansAffiliate disclaimer: These are affiliate links, which means Amplify OT may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Your support helps us continue to offer free resources and education for the OT community._____________________________________CONNECT WITH AMPLIFY OT:WebsiteServicesFree NewsletterInstagramLinkedInFacebookTikTokLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Ep 52: Skilled Nursing Facilities vs. Nursing Homes: What You Need to KnowBeing Moral by Atul Gawande© Amplify OT® and Clarice Grote
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    40 mins
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