Rehab

SNF therapy billing crackdown

Rehab Regs, July 8, 2004

If you're a therapist working with skilled nursing facility (SNF) patients, watch out. According to CMS Transmittal 183, you must have a written agreement in place before you begin treating SNF patients. Under SNF consolidated billing guidelines, the facility is responsible for billing Medicare Part B for all services provided by outside suppliers, including physical, occupational and speech therapy. The SNF then pays the supplier from the reimbursement it receives. In the past, some therapists who inappropriately billed Medicare for services provided to SNF patients were reimbursed if CMS inadvertently paid the claim. However, the Office of the Inspector General recently released an audit report urging CMS to clamp down. Visit www.cms.hhs.gov/manuals/pm_trans/R183CP.pdf to read the transmittal.

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