How to Use NARA Member Benefits to Grow Your Practice in 2026

As the healthcare sphere evolves, rehabilitation providers are working harder than ever to deliver high-quality care while navigating shifting reimbursement models, regulatory complexity, and ongoing workforce shortages. In 2026, organizations that support physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology must be more agile, informed, and future-focused than ever.

This is where NARA membership becomes a true strategic advantage, not simply a professional affiliation.

NARA equips therapy leaders with national advocacy, trusted intelligence, peer-driven insights, and real-time regulatory support. Whether you’re a growing outpatient practice, a skilled nursing therapy provider, a home health operator, or an employer with onsite rehab services, leveraging your member benefits can meaningfully strengthen your organization in 2026.

Below are the most impactful ways to use NARA’s member resources to drive growth, stability, and innovation in the year ahead.

1. Tap Into a Powerful Peer Network

One of NARA’s most valued member benefits is access to a nationwide network of rehabilitation leaders and providers across all care settings. This community creates a unique environment for collaboration, problem-solving, and professional growth.

Through NARA’s member-only forums, in-person conferences, and webinars, you can:

• Exchange best practices with therapy executives across the country
• Learn how peers are responding to regulatory and reimbursement shifts
• Gain new strategies for documentation, staffing models, and operational efficiency
• Build partnerships that lead to referrals, program development, or mentorship

In 2026, commit to attending at least one NARA conference or virtual roundtable. These events consistently spark new ideas, strengthen leadership skills, and help your team stay ahead of evolving standards.

2. Stay Ahead with Timely, Actionable Regulatory Updates

For therapy providers, regulatory change is constant, and often complicated. Staying compliant and proactive requires access to current, trustworthy information.

NARA keeps members informed through:

• Weekly regulatory updates summarizing changes from CMS, HHS, and other agencies
• Urgent policy alerts so you never miss a time-sensitive rule or billing change
• Expert-led webinars that break down the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, quality programs, supervision rules, and state-level updates
• Interpretation of proposed and final rules, not just what changed, but what it means for your practice

In a year when value-based care expansion, Medicare adjustments, and telehealth legislation remain fluid, NARA’s regulatory intelligence helps you stay in compliance and avoid costly disruptions.

3. Leverage Business Intelligence Tools to Strengthen Your Practice

Growth isn’t only about increasing patient volume; it’s about strengthening your operational foundation.

NARA members receive access to resources that help guide smarter decision-making, including:

• Benchmarking data that compares your metrics to national therapy industry trends
• Operational toolkits for scheduling, productivity, quality assurance, and outcomes tracking
• Downloadable guides and templates for documentation, policy development, compliance training, and clinical workflows
• Business intelligence insights to support strategic planning and budgeting

These tools can help you:

• Improve efficiency
• Lower overhead
• Reduce denials
• Increase patient satisfaction
• Strengthen your financial and operational resilience

Use benchmarking data early in Q1 to assess performance, refine staffing models, and set annual targets.

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4. Strengthen Your Team with Workforce Development Resources

Recruitment and retention remain some of the most significant challenges for rehabilitation organizations. NARA supports your workforce strategy through:

• HR best practices and sample policies to streamline recruitment and onboarding
• Leadership development resources to help elevate supervisors, clinical managers, and directors
• Career tools and job board access to reach high-quality talent
• Templates for performance reviews, competencies, and continuing education planning

With workforce shortages expected to continue in 2026, investing in your team is essential to both quality of care and organizational stability.

Use NARA’s leadership resources to build an internal development pathway for therapy assistants, emerging clinical leaders, or managers moving into director-level roles.

5. Advocate for Your Practice and the Future of Rehabilitation Care

NARA amplifies the collective voice of rehabilitation providers on Capitol Hill and with federal and state regulatory agencies. As a member, your organization becomes part of impactful, industry-wide advocacy efforts.

NARA consistently advocates for:

• Fair and sustainable reimbursement
• Protection and expansion of therapy services
• Practical documentation and compliance standards
• Improved access across outpatient, post-acute, onsite employer-based, and community settings
• Policy efforts that support the therapy workforce

Members also receive transparent updates about:

• Active and pending legislation
• Policy proposals that impact PT/OT/SLP services
• How to participate in advocacy campaigns
• Opportunities to share real-world insights with policymakers

When rehabilitation providers don’t have a seat at the table, policies are written without real-world context. NARA ensures your voice is represented.

Visit Our Advocacy Center Online

6. Expand Your Visibility & Thought Leadership

NARA offers its members several ways to increase visibility and demonstrate leadership in the rehabilitation field, including:

• Presenting at NARA conferences or webinars
• Participating in case studies, interviews, or member spotlights
• Sharing success stories or innovative approaches to therapy delivery
• Collaborating on education and training for the broader membership

These opportunities help your organization:

• Build credibility
• Attract talent
• Strengthen partnerships
• Position your team as industry leaders

If thought leadership is part of your 2026 business development strategy, NARA’s platforms give you the reach you need to stand out.

Questions? Contact Us Online Today

Ready to Grow Your Rehab Practice in 2026?

NARA membership offers far more than networking — it provides a strategic framework for growth. When you fully leverage the tools, insights, advocacy, and community NARA provides, your practice is better prepared to navigate regulatory change, strengthen your workforce, and deliver exceptional rehabilitation care.

If you’re already a member, make 2026 the year you unlock everything NARA has to offer. If you’re considering joining, now is the ideal time to align with an organization committed to moving the rehabilitation industry forward.

Explore membership and resources at: www.naranet.org