intensive rehabilitation therapy program in determining the medical necessity of services in an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) (a) In general Section 1886(j) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395ww(j) ) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (9) Including recreational therapy among therapy modalities that constitute an intensive rehabilitation therapy program in a rehabilitation facility The Secretary shall include recreational therapy services among the therapeutic modalities that constitute an intensive rehabilitation program in determining (pursuant to applicable regulations) whether inpatient services in a rehabilitation facility are reasonable and necessary under section 1862(a)(1)(A). . (b) Effective date The amendment made by section (a) shall apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2018.