HCPro.com - Rehab - DO NOT USE Top Stories

AOTA endorses outcomes measurement tool for occupational therapy

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 18:46:00 GMT

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) recently endorsed an outcomes measurement tool that evaluates functional improvement to help OTs improve the quality of their services.

On March 31, the AOTA announced its support for the Activity Measurement for Post Acute Care (AM-PAC), an OT outcomes measurement tool created by the Boston University Health and Disability Institute, according to an AOTA press release.

AM-PAC, which is provided by CREcare, LLC, evaluates a client’s basic mobility, daily activities, and applied cognitive functional status. The information gathered by AM-PAC will be used in AOTA’s national outcomes database for OT, and will allow therapists to track and compare the outcomes of their services, according to the AOTA press release.

New specialty code for SLPs

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 15:14:00 GMT

CMS developed a new non-physician practitioner specialty code, specialty code 15, to categorize SLP services, according to a February 20 transmittal. This is an important step toward allowing SLPs to bill Medicare as private practitioners.

Providers and suppliers use specialties codes to enroll in Medicare and ensure claims are processed and paid appropriately. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 revised the Social Security Act to allow SLPs to apply for enrollment as suppliers beginning July 1, 2009, which is also the effective date for specialty code 15. This amendment to the Social Security Act will allow SLPs in private practice to bill Medicare directly for services provided.

Tips and tools for rehab professionals: Time management

Fri, 06 Mar 2009 21:41:00 GMT

Rehab managers are almost always faced with insufficient time in the day to get everything done. However, time management can be learned and honed through the use of various tools and by understanding the importance of following through on the plan. A skill that goes hand in hand with time management is using the delegation process appropriately and effectively. The following tangible results can occur when a rehab manager is able to manage his or her time effectively:

Improved work/life balance
Stress reduction
Improved efficiency at work
Fewer missed deadlines or appointments
Positive example of good time management to staff
Improved ability to be present and to focus on the issues at hand, resulting in more effectiveness at work

This tip is from HCPro’s book The Essential Guide to Therapy Management.

Stimulus package put money into researching treatment outcomes

Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:37:00 GMT

The $787 billion economic stimulus package, signed into law on Tuesday by President Barack Obama, will provide researchers with $1.1 billion to compare the effectiveness of different medical treatments, according to The New York Times.

This research will compare the outcomes of different treatment options, such as surgery versus physical therapy for the treatment of back pain, and determine which is more effective. In exploring the effectiveness of medications, surgeries, and other methods used to treat the same conditions, this research aims to reduce the amount of money spent on expensive, ineffective treatments, according to The New York Times.

New law to license Michigan OTs

Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:23:00 GMT

A bill to license Michigan OTs and OT assistants was signed into law by the state’s Governor Jennifer M. Granholm on January 12, according to a press release from the American Occupational Therapy Association.

The new law, which also requires OTs to take part in continuing education for licensure renewal, aims to ensure that only trained professionals provide OT services in the state. Michigan is the 48th state to license OTs and the 45th state to license OT assistants, according to the press release.

CMS announces final five MACs

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 18:55:00 GMT

CMS announced the final five Medicare administrative contractors (MAC) on January 7, according to a CMS press release. The final five MACs will begin implementation activities immediately and are expected to fully take over all claims processing work in their jurisdictions by March 2010.

In awarding the final five MAC contracts, CMS has completed the process of selecting all 15 Part A/B MACs, who will be responsible for processing all Medicare claims under the Medicare Fee-for-Service program, eventually replacing fiscal intermediaries and carriers.
The final five MACs and their respective jurisdictions are:

Noridian Administrative Services, LLC: Jurisdiction 6 – Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
National Government Services: Jurisdiction 8 – Indiana and Michigan
Cahaba Government Benefit Administrators, LLC: Jurisdiction 10 – Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee
Palmetto Government Benefits Administrators, LLC: Jurisdiction 11 – North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia
Highmark Medicare Services: Jurisdiction 15 – Kentucky and Ohio

New legislation would repeal therapy caps

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:15:00 GMT

Members of Congress introduced legislation calling for the elimination of the therapy caps in the Senate and House of Representatives on Tuesday, according to a press release from the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

The legislation, known as the Medicare Access to Rehabilitation Services Act, was presented by Senators John Ensign, Blanche Lincoln, Susan Collins, and Ben Cardin, and Representatives Xavier Becerra, Mike Ross, and Roy Blunt. The therapy caps have been controversial since their implementation in 1997 and many argue that they limit access to necessary treatment for seniors.

Stay tuned for more information regarding the elimination of the therapy caps and visit HCPro’s Rehab page for up-to-date news.

Optimizing reimbursement: Tips and tools

Fri, 26 Dec 2008 18:21:00 GMT

Prevent denials with complete home environment documentation

Obtain complete information regarding the patient’s home environment, and document it accurately. Ask the following basic questions regarding the home environment:

• How many steps are needed to climb to enter the house?
• On what floor are your bedroom and bathroom located?
• On what floor are the washer and dryer located?
• How many steps are needed to climb to the second floor?
• Are there handrails on the staircase? If so, on which side?
• Do you live alone? If you do, will you have temporary assistance while you recover? If not, is someone who resides with you home all the time or are you alone in the house for long periods of time?

If the patient lives alone but has someone staying with him or her during recovery, document that this is only short-term and that the patient will return to living alone. This accurate documentation will support your long-term goals, as well as the need for skilled therapy services. Without this clarification, insurance carriers may deny claims because they think the patient does not need to achieve independence because someone at home will help perform tasks.

This tip for optimal reimbursement is from HCPro’s book The How-To Manual for Rehab Documentation: A Complete Guide to Increasing Reimbursement and Reducing Denials, written by Rick Gawenda, PT.

Alternative therapy becomes more popular

Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:04:00 GMT

Approximately 38% of adults and almost 12% of children under the age of 18 use some form of alternative therapy, such as yoga, acupuncture, meditation, chiropractic, or herbal remedies, according to a study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH).

The study, which was released on December 10, found that if a parent or relative engaged in some form of alternative therapy, a child would be five times more likely to do so, according to The Wall Street Journal. The study also found the use of acupuncture, deep breathing exercises, massage therapy, meditation, and yoga has increased over the past five years.

To view the complete report of the study, visit http://nccam.nih.gov/news/2008/nhsr12.pdf.

CMS delays Recovery Audit Contractor program

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:01:00 GMT

Use extra time to prepare for audits and appeals Many healthcare providers have been dreading the pending arrival of CMS’ Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program, which pays auditors to find and recover Medicare payments. Initially, CMS planned to permanently install the program nationally by January 1, 2010, with the program expanding into some states this year and in 2009.

Tracking productivity: Looking beyond billable units

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:01:00 GMT

When times get tough, it’s easy to think your practice may have to start cutting back on equipment, staff members, benefits, or other areas in which you determine that you can save money.

Know the rules for rehab services in home health setting

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:01:00 GMT

Whether you want to make extra money, add another service to your practice, or switch directions, providing rehab services in a home health setting may be a good option. Home health is a field that’s growing quickly and is mostly ruled by home health agencies that contract out therapists. The home health field can also be profitable for providers and beneficial for patients.

Waiving coinsurance may be appropriate at times

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:01:00 GMT

Although it’s important to run your practice as a business, you probably got into the healthcare industry to help people. And as the country’s economy continues to struggle, more patients will need your help and may not be able to afford your services.

Virtual tool to help stroke patients heal

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 21:13:00 GMT

The University of Central Florida’s (UCF) Media Convergence Lab (MCL) is partnering with Virtual Reality Medical Center (VRMC) to create a tool that could eventually be used by therapists to help stroke patients increase their range of movement, according to an article by TechJournal South.

While sitting at a table, patients would put on virtual reality goggles and attempt to hit virtual bugs flying nearby. As the patients improve, thus increasing their range of motion, more bugs would appear at greater distances, TechJournal South reports. UCF should finish the prototype by the end of 2009 and, once completed, VRMC plans to introduce the product to physical therapists.

Optimizing Reimbursement: Weekly tips and tools

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:21:00 GMT

Therapy documentation develops the patient’s story and justifies the need for therapy. In addition to the patient evaluation and the plan of care (POC), ongoing documentation supports the medical necessity of therapy interventions.

The assessment is the section where the therapist documents details, including the
• Patient progression in therapy
• Reason why skilled therapy services are still required
• Changes or updates to the patient goals
• Response to treatment received

Avoid writing “tolerated treatment well.” This comment doesn’t tell the medical reviewer how the patient is progressing toward his or her short- and long-term goals. The medical reviewer may read “tolerated well’ and interpret it to mean that the patient no longer requires skilled therapy services, or that the patient was a passive participant in the therapy session.

This tip for optimal reimbursement is from HCPro’s book The How-To Manual for Rehab Documentation: A Complete Guide to Increasing Reimbursement and Reducing Denials.

Rehab providers should take economy concerns seriously; caution suggested

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:01:00 GMT

With the economy sagging, the future of the country’s financial standing is at the top of everyone’s mind.

SLP shortage results in higher salary and benefit demands

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:01:00 GMT

Much has been made about the lack of qualified PTs and OTs available for hire and how the demand continues to grow for therapists as baby boomers age. Although less publicized, a similar shortage has made it difficult for many hospitals, schools, and private practices to find SLPs.

Compliance officers crucial to long-term success

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:01:00 GMT

Most rehab facilities know the importance of following payer rules and guidelines, because if they don’t, there is a risk of not getting paid or, worse, facing legal action. But too many facilities overlook all the other rules that rehab providers face—everything from HIPAA to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines to state and federal laws on sexual harassment and drugs in the workplace.

Avoid entering a corporate integrity agreement

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 15:01:00 GMT

Once the Office of Inspect General (OIG) comes knocking, it may be too late to change your practices if you haven’t been following the Medicare guidelines closely. If you’ve been committing intentional fraud or careless abuse, an OIG investigation will find billing errors, says Nancy J. Beckley, MS, MBA, CHC, president of Bloomingdale Consulting Group in Brandon, FL.