I have worked for many therapy companies and they seem to all say something different about therapy orders. Some companies allow and or request that therapist write the orders for a range ex 5-7 x a week and other companies say that is a “flag” for Medicare and can cause a denial in payment. Can you please let me know which is correct?
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Regarding point of service documentation: Is this considered billable time? What about documenting an evaluation with several goals? If these goals are documented while the therapist and patient, and/or family members are developing the care plan together, would this be considered billable documentation time? Is there guidance on therapy documentation and billable time?
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Where exactly can I find where the OT/PT/SLP need to have their plan of care signed by the physician when treating under Medicare Part A? Does the Medicare Certification cover this?
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Can you please tell me what the regulation is on initial MD orders. I understand we have 30 days for signature on plan of care, but what is the time frame for eval and treat orders-how long do we have for the doctor to sign? I am being told 48 hours. And I looked at the SOM pub 100-02 chapter 15 section 220 and 230 but still unclear.
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Our contract company just told us we are not allowed to write daily treatment notes any more. We were instructed to only write a note if there was an “event” or if something “atypical” happened. Is there a regulation that backs this up? I’m a bit hesitant to stop doing this.
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Can a PTA “co-treat” with another PTA or PT?
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Are clarification orders for therapy necessary in the SNF?
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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)
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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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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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“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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