SNF Rehab & MDS Experts answer YOUR questions.

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Take a peek at the questions your peers are asking…and view the answers!

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Q: Can you post PDPM rate charts for 2024? (Abby, SLP)

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Q: Did the supervision rules for therapy assistants change this year? (Bob, OTR)

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Q: Can you provide specifics on the new Caregiver Training Codes? (Syra, PTA)

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Q: Can any CPT Code be used for telehealth, or only certain ones? (Dev, COTA)

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Q: Is documenting total treatment minutes and CPT codes every day enough for Medicare Part A requirements? (Becky, PT)

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Q: Do we have to complete a discharge and then do a new evaluation when residents switch from Medicare A to Medicare B? (Kayla, OTR)

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Q:Will ability to use telehealth in the SNF with Part A patients continue through 12/31/24, or is it just Part B? (KM, DOR)

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Q: Can a RN provide respiratory therapy services in the SNF and the minutes be counted on the MDS? (Sue R, RN – 2023)

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Q: I know that Medicare Part B does not allow assistants to write progress notes or discharge summaries, but is it ok if a PTA or COTA does it if the PT or OT cosigns it? That’s how our software is set up. (Devon, COTA 2023)

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Q: “When a resident on caseload has a change of payer, is a new evaluation required? Asking particularly for Medicare Part A?

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Q: Can you direct me to any resources for Swing Beds in a hospital that follow the MDS and/or SNF rules?

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Q: We have a patient with CVA who is receiving Speech Therapy for swallow and language.  The SLP now feels a cognitive assessment should be completed.  Should she bill for the cognitive assessment even though an eval charge was submitted?” (Jeff B, PT, DOR)

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Q: I have a question regarding the BIMS. Our speech therapist is performing the BIMS in our SNF. I was told by our MDS Coordinator they can’t be done the same day the patient is admitted. Is this true? (DL, COTA/DOR)

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Q: Our therapy company is instructing us to bill a 1 time treatment with an evaluation that does not recommend therapy services in the plan of care. Is there a rule on this? (JJ, OT/DOR)

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Q: For a SNF resident to be eligible for Medicare A coverage with only skilled rehab (not nursing), is it at least one therapy discipline 5 days per week, or is it a combination of disciplines to equal 5 days per week? In other words, can be combine disciplines to cover the 5 days per week requirement? (AD, PT/DOR)

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Q: When should a re-evaluation be performed?  Is there a difference  for therapy evals and re-evals for Med A and Med B patients?” (Derek, PTA)

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Q: “Are there specific requirements for physician signature dates on therapy evals and orders. We realize there are for Medicare Part B but what about Medicare Part A?” (DOR PT, NJ)

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Q: Can you provide information about LCD’s (Local Coverage Determinations)? (PTA DOR, MI)

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Q: Who can complete the BIMS (Brief Interview of Mental Status) for a Part A resident? Can a PTA or COTA? (PT, VP of Operations, MI)

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Q: Can you provide information on the regulations for Restorative Nursing? I am specifically looking for information that approves Restorative Nursing and Therapy to occur simultaneously. We have always waited to refer to Restorative until after skilled therapy was complete. Our company is now requiring Restorative Nursing to begin on day 1 or 2 for our Part A admissions. (Lisa, PT OH)

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Q: Please clarify when the SNF needs to issue a NOMNC (Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage) form for Medicare Part B residents. (August DOR, PT)

Answer: Below you will find 3 references that support the answer.


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New Q&A are posted monthly!

*Please note that when we receive multiple questions about the same topic (and we do!), we select one question and answer to post here to represent all questions submitted for that category. However, each Member submitting a question will receive a personal email response!