While it’s common knowledge that therapy services are essential in improving patient outcomes and maximizing independence, it’s critical to understand how to document therapy treatment in a manner which demonstrates that value. We covered some of this before in our Therapy Documentation 101 article. Here, we’ll dive into documenting interventions performed and progress toward goals. […]

In these trying times, it is important to keep informed. We will be providing a summary of regulatory changes in this article. Please keep in mind that these changes are considered temporary and will be effective from 3/30/2020 through as long as the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency declaration remains in effect. Other legislation is being […]

We asked via Facebook for topics to write about and a reader requested an article on therapy documentation. It’s a very timely subject considering all of the scrutiny by CMS review contractors such as MACs, RACs, ZPICs, UPICs, etc. and the review choice demonstrations that started in Illinois on June 1st, Ohio on September 30th […]

From time to time, we receive inquires from our users with clinical questions. Though our team possesses a treasure trove of knowledge in different aspects of home health, including Medicare home health care, early intervention (EI), pediatric therapy, outpatient therapy and more, we are not clinicians. However, we do want to give our users the […]

As every home health therapist knows, Medicare requires a 30-day reassessment at least every 30 days but where did this requirement come from and why is it so important? A Brief History In the 2011 Home Health Final Rule, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed a change to the frequency of therapy […]

Palmetto GBA is the home health Fiscal Intermediary (FI) in AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, NM, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN & TX. If you blinked, you might have missed the changes to the Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs) from Palmetto GBA on June 23, 2016. The prior Physical Therapy and Occupational […]

Even though homebound status documentation in therapyBOSS already provides clinicians with means to reflect the patient’s homebound status in a compliant manner, we recognize that monitors are looking for any and every excuse to substantiate denials. In our continuous effort to help clinicians easily create 100% defensible documentation, we are revising the Homebound Status section […]

Palmetto GBA updated their PT and OT local coverage determinations (LCDs) on 3/12/15 to include provider education and guidance regarding documentation of restorative versus maintenance therapy. The PT utilization guideline states “Whether the plan is rehabilitative/restorative or maintenance should be indicated on the CMS-485 or on the OASIS M1800-M1910 with reference to ADL/IADL’s and current […]

It has recently come to our attention that Palmetto GBA is issuing ADR denials on home health claims for patients whose therapy care plan does not qualify goals as long term and short term. Palmetto has jurisdiction over AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, NM, NC, OH, OK, SC, TN, and TX. […]