Advanced Search

Eli's Rehab Report

Know the Facts:
Find Out What RACs Are Before They Nail Your Facility
California IRFs get hit hard by these entities -- will CMS step up? If you think your pay... Read more
Home Health:
Brace for Therapy Scrutiny Under PPS Changes
Even a 6-visit threshold has chance for abuse Get ready for a complete overhaul of how... Read more
Paper or Electronic Claims Processing?
If you have the choice, you may want to tech it up Most providers these days are required... Read more
Education:
11 Opportunities to Boost Your Business Know-How
  Sign up for these Eli-sponsored audioconferences   Need a little extra... Read more
News Briefs:
Corporate: U.S. Physical Therapy Adds a 'Star' to Its Mix
Houston-- U.S. Physical Therapy is right on track with its goal of expanding its network o... Read more
News Briefs:
Salaries: HCS Digs Into Rehab Providers' Compensation
Oakland, N.J. -- If you've wanted a benchmark for what you and your rehab colleagues are m... Read more
News Briefs:
Coding: SLPs Welcome New Dysphagia ICD-9s
Rockville, Md. -- You heard about the AMA's proposed ICD-9s this summer -- well now they'r... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get a Therapy V Code Refresher for SNFs, HHAs
Question: I've just relocated to an SNF setting from a hospital outpatient therapy depart... Read more
Reader Questions:
Avoid Ionto Setup Time Billing Blunders
Question: I understand that iontophoresis (97033) is a constant-attendance modality and a... Read more
Inpatient Insights:
Tune In to Some Major Post-Acute Setting Changes on the Horizon
Find out what the CARE tool is and how CMS is using itA CMS demonstration project is in th... Read more
SNFs:
Don't Miss This Critical Update to Therapy Eval Requirements
CMS transmittal 73 spells out this small but important changeGear up your SNF for more the... Read more
IRFs:
Navigate the 2008 PPS Final Rule With These Strategies
Outlier threshold takes a major jumpInpatient rehabilitation facilities' 2008 PPS final ru... Read more
Compliance:
Provider-Based Requirements -- You May Be Missing Key Pieces
3 tips could save you from your FI's watchful eyeIf you're an off-site--but hospital-affil... Read more
NEWS BRIEFS:
Legislation--SCHIP Stirs the Healthcare Pot
Just because Congress is officially on recess doesn't mean there's not a lot to keep your ... Read more
NEWS BRIEFS:
LCDs--Palmetto and Canada Zero In on Dysphagia
Palmetto GBA and Cahaba GBA are revising their Local Coverage Determinations on dysphagia ... Read more
NEWS BRIEFS:
SNFs--CMS Reveals 2008 SNF PPS Final Rule
Skilled nursing facilities' services paid under the Prospective Payment System will see a ... Read more
Clinical Rehab Roundup
In this recurring feature, Physical Medicine & Rehab Coding Alert provides you with ... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Get the Latest on SLP Education Standards
Question: In the last issue, I read the article on a CMS proposed rule that specified some... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Clear Up Some Modifier 59 Confusion
Question: I've been getting a lot of denials on claims I bill with modifier 59 (Distinct p... Read more
Outpatient Outlook:
Stay in the Loop on Key Changes CMS Proposes for Next Year
Welcome some good news about your recertification periods A new proposed rule from CMS hi... Read more
Practice Pointers:
Clear up PQRI Confusion -- and Set Yourself up for Some Cash
Find out why you may want to screen a wheelchair-bound patient for falls risk If you're s... Read more
Legislation:
Keep an Eye on the SCHIP Bill
SLPs in private practice: You may be able to bill Medicare directly if this passes Your 2... Read more
Security:
Protect Private Information From the Public Eye
Your NPI application could hold the key to leaking critical information Although the init... Read more
Clinical Rehab Roundup
In this recurring feature, Physical Medicine & Rehab Coding Alert provides you with su... Read more
News Brief:
Mergers and Acquisitions:New Physiotherapy Associates to 'Change the Face of the Industry
Chicago -- Investors have their eye on the rehab market, and two of them are looking to cr... Read more
News Brief:
Reimbursement: CMS Considers New Wound-Care Service Regulations
Alexandria, Va. -- Physical therapists performing wound-care services at outpatient hospit... Read more
News Brief:
Audits: OIG Continues to Target Medical Necessity
Texas City, Texas -- Good documentation always counts -- even after you're reimbursed for... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Confuse 'Maintenance Therapy' With Billable Services
Question: We all hear from CMS and private payers that we can't bill for "maintenance the... Read more
Reader Question:
Pare Down Your Eval Time With a Questionnaire
Question: In our facility, we have a lot of Medicare patients whom we ask very detailed A... Read more
Pay for Performance:
Brace for New Reimbursement Model on the Horizon
Help drive the change rather than wait for what's handed to you Freezing, capping and sl... Read more
Clinical Rehab Roundup
In this recurring feature, Physical Medicine & Rehab Coding Alert provides you with su... Read more
Practice Pointers:
Don't Let a 1.5% Bonus From Medicare Slip Through Your Fingers
PQRI isn't just another CMS acronym to write off to the physician world If you're a P... Read more
SNFs:
Prevent Nursing Documentation From Torpedoing Rehab RUGs
4 ways for nursing and therapists to stay on the same page If nursing and therapy docume... Read more
Home Health:
Sharpen Your Therapy Prediction to Master New Service Domain
Every therapy visit could make a difference under revised PPS billing   You&rsq... Read more
News Briefs
Tennessee PT Clinic Gets Nailed on Anti-Kickback Statute WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The HHS Off... Read more
Reader Questions:
Document, but Don't Bill, Re-Evals in Acute Care
Question: I work in an acute-care setting, and I'm wondering how and when my therapists c... Read more
Reader Questions:
Get a Refresher on Treatment Note Documentation
Question: I recently heard that I don't have to break down the number of minutes I spend ... Read more
Compliance:
Don't Get Burned by a Good Thing--Direct Access, That Is
Know the ins and outs of your state's restrictions if you have direct access States have b... Read more
Clip and Save:
See Where All the States Stand in the Direct Access Race
Kansas brings the direct access total to 44 states as of May As you can see below, state l... Read more
Home Health:
Beware Medical Review Under Changing Therapy Threshold
Here's what to do now about the proposed therapy changes On Jan. 1, you'll say goodbye to ... Read more
IRFs:
Prepare for 2008 Now: Grab the Highlights of Your Proposed IRF PPS Rule
You still can't count comorbidities at the 75 percent threshold No need to be intimidated ... Read more
NEWS BRIEFS:
Surprise--Study Shows P4P May Not Be Effective
New York, N.Y.--If you're waiting for Medicare to move forward with payment incentives for... Read more
NEWS BREIFS:
Good News--OTs Eligible for Bonus Under Quality Reporting Initiative
Bethesda, Md.--Occupational therapists up for some extra cash this year will be pleased to... Read more
NEWS BRIEFS:
Kansas Scores as State No. 44 for Direct Access
Alexandria, Va.--If you're a physical therapist in Kansas, gear up for more patients knock... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
Coding Isn't the Issue With This Therapy Claim Denial
Question: An elderly patient who recently had a flu episode was referred to our home heal... Read more
READER QUESTIONS:
How to Avoid Duplication of Services
Question: Our facility is taking extra care to avoid duplication of services between phy... Read more
Speech Spotlight:
SLPs: Gear up for a Slew of New 787.xx and 389.xx ICD-9s
Look out for more descriptive terms under dysphagia and hearing loss The feds have release... Read more
Clip & Save ~ Get a Sneak Peek at Proposed ICD-9s for 2008
Speech-language pathology gets a heap of new codes TCI sifted through CMS' Inpatient Prosp... Read more
Home Health ~ Prepare for Major Therapy Threshold Changes -- or Face Serious Federal Scrutiny
Your episode calculations are about to get a lot more complicated Home health agencies exp... Read more
NPIs ~ Providers Breathe a Little Easier With 1-Year NPI Extension
But extra leeway may be a trap with other payers You have an extra year to get up to snuff... Read more
News Brief ~ Tune Your Patients in:
ASHA Lands Spot on NPR
Rockville, Md. -- Promoting your professional services means more than sprucing up yo... Read more
News Brief ~ Medicare Proposes Higher SNF Payments
Washington, D.C. -- If your rehab services get paid on a skilled nursing facility pro... Read more
News Brief ~ Feds Crack Down on Validity of IRF Admissions
Washington, D.C. -- If you're a Medicare inpatient rehabilitation facility, you may w... Read more
Clinical Rehab Roundup
In this recurring feature, Physical Medicine & Rehab Coding Alert provides you with su... Read more
Reader Question ~ Know Your Discharge Report Must-Haves
Question: I'm wondering what to do if I see a Medicare patient and initially fill out a 70... Read more
Reader Question ~ Choose the Best Onset Date for Pediatric Patients
Question: I struggle with documenting onset dates with our pediatric cases. For example, f... Read more
Inpatient Insights:
News Flash -- CMS Abruptly Rescinds Transmittal 65
Certain California PTAs can relax about losing their jobs  If you're a hospital-based... Read more
DME:
Good News -- Therapists Exempt From Competitive Bidding Process
But you'll still need accreditation  It's official: The final rule implementing Medic... Read more
Home Health:
Watch for Infrared Therapy Billing Pitfalls Under PPS
Medicare noncoverage could reduce your PPS payment rates by thousands unless you know the ... Read more
Practice Pointers:
Don't Give up in the face of Per-Diem Reimbursement
4 tips uncover some hidden cash-saving options  Therapy providers across the country ... Read more
News Briefs
Word on the Street: HealthSouth Tinkers With Selling Headquarters  Birmingham, Ala. -... Read more
Clinical Rehab Roundup
In this recurring feature, Physical Medicine & Rehab Coding Alert provides you with su... Read more
Reader Questions:
Clarify Billable Time With This Scenario
Question: I need advice on how to bill the following scenario: Patient A arrives at the cl... Read more
Reader Questions:
Cleanly Bill Your Attended Modalities
Question: I have a question regarding the following statement from CMS' therapy services b... Read more
Know the Facts:
Get the Lowdown on Per-Visit Fees -- and How to Voice Your Opinion
Some states are seeing reimbursement as low as $35 per visit You may have heard about --... Read more
Inpatient Insights:
Nail the 3-Hour Rule Without Cheating the System
Tip: Create a 30-minute buffer to allow for patient breaks Squeezing in those three requ... Read more
Home Health:
Stay Alert: Therapy Utilization Guidelines to Hit Agencies
Be sure your therapy visit number fits under a new coverage policy limit The feds and pa... Read more
Clip and Save:
Know Your Visit Limits Down to the Code
Check out Cahaba GBA's new utilization guidelines that affect home health therapy service... Read more
News Brief:
CMS Extends Acceptance Period for Old 1500 Form
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- If you've obtained updated CMS-1500 forms to accommodate the National... Read more
News Brief:
Congress Pays Attention to PT Students
ALEXANDRIA, VA. -- Physical therapists who practice in areas suffering healthcare provide... Read more
News Brief:
Wound Therapy Claims May Go Under the Microscope
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Watch for claim denials if you bill for negative pressure wound therapy... Read more
Reader Questions:
Don't Let Medicare Payer Bundle 97605 and 97606
Question: I received a denial for a Medicare claim with active wound care management codes... Read more
Reader Questions:
Admission Reason Determines V Code
Question: We are a home health agency providing physical therapy and occupational therapy... Read more
Outcomes:
Get the Insiders' Dish on 4 Outcomes Tools
Decide which tool(s) would be best for your facilityCMS has kept you quite busy this year,... Read more
Inpatient Insights:
Hospital Rehabs--Turn Your Eye to Outpatient Therapy Policies
According to CMS, your expectations aren't far from Part B settings'If you are happily set... Read more
Billing:
Use These Expert Tips to Prepare for the New UB-04 Form
Make sure your software is ready to handle the changesBy May 23, all institutional paper c... Read more
Billing:
Welcome 4 Key UB-04 Benefits
The conversion to ICD-10 won't mean another new claim formAlthough adjusting to change can... Read more
News Brief:
Outpatient Physical Therapy
Congress Re-Introduces Therapy-Cap Repeal BillALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The newly elected 110th C... Read more
News Brief:
Fraud and Abuse
Ohio Couple Found Not Guilty of Fraudulent BillingAKRON, Ohio -- What appeared to be a sti... Read more
Outcomes:
Don't Lose Sight of Your Patients' Satisfaction
CALABASAS, Calif. -- Heads up, therapists: Insurers, employers and others that give you bu... Read more
Home Health:
PT Base Pay and Turnover Rates Increase
OAKLAND, N.J. -- If you're a home health physical therapist, lucky for you, your hourly ra... Read more
Reader Question:
Check NCCI Edits for Swallow Studies
Question: Sometimes our speech-language pathologist performs a swallow evaluation and vide... Read more
Reader Question:
Get Answers About Treating Patients in the Home
Question: Can I bill for outpatient physical therapy if I'm treating a patient at his home... Read more
DOCUMENTATION ~ Beef Up Your Documentation With New Outcomes Measurements
Hint: Professional guidelines will help lead the way The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid... Read more
THERAPY CAPS ~ Say Goodbye to the Manual Exceptions Process -- for Now
And check out a brand-new list of applicable ICD-9 codes Although CMS released updates to ... Read more
STATE CORNER ~ Take Note:
NJ's Revolutionary Bill Could Help PTs
Find out how auto insurance policies could tie into PT reimbursement You might laugh at th... Read more
PRACTICE POINTERS ~ Nip Those No-Shows in the Bud -- the Right Way
Warning: Make sure your payers don't frown on payment penalties Every office has them ... Read more
CLIP & SAVE ~ Let Patients Know Your No-Show Policy Up-Front With This Notice
Follow up with an appropriate warning letter Use this sample written policy and the two sa... Read more
NEWS BRIEF ~ UGS Wastes No Time Correcting Patient Status Codes
United Government Services is promptly responding to an HHS Office of Inspector General au... Read more
NEWS BRIEF ~ CIMT Shows Promise for Stroke Victims
Stroke survivors who had lost function in one arm showed dramatic clinical improvements la... Read more
NEWS BRIEF ~ Beware -- OIG Cracks Down on PT Billing
Your physical therapy billing could be a major hot button in the new year, judging from th... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Check Locally for Unna Boot Coverage
Question: Does Medicare reimburse Unna boots for venous insufficiency or any other diagnos... Read more
READER QUESTION ~ Know When You Need a DME Number for L Codes
Question: I need to report an OT custom splint. Do I need a DME provider number to bill L ... Read more
THERAPY CAPS:
CMS Offers 3 Key Changes to the Therapy Cap for Outpatients
With only a $40 raise, experts weigh in on what will affect you most The therapy cap will ... Read more
SNFs:
Identify Rehab RUG Patterns That Shout, 'Come Audit Me!'
Spot it if you got it and know what to do next The way your rehab RUGs shake out in your ... Read more
CLIP & SAVE:
Note the Corrections to CMS' ICD-9 Exceptions List
Many of last year's codes were missing fifth digits A beneficiary's diagnosis determines h... Read more
DOCUMENTATION:
Check Out Some Major CMS Changes
Transmittal 60 spells it out In addition to sending out a transmittal clarifying the thera... Read more
Clinical Rehab Roundup
In this recurring feature, Physical Medicine & Rehab Coding Alert provides you with su... Read more
NEWS BRIEF:
Congress Extends Therapy Cap Exceptions Process
You can breathe a sigh of relief that Congress has decided to extend the therapy cap excep... Read more
NEWS BRIEF:
California PTs Call Themselves 'Doctor'
If a physical therapist in California received a doctorate of physical therapy (DPT) degre... Read more
READER QUESTION:
Clear up PT Wound Care Coding Dilemmas
Question: How should I bill wound care provided by a physical therapist in an office setti... Read more
READER QUESTION:
How Timed Codes for Speech Work
Question: Should I use timed units (that is, 15-minute units) for speech-language patholog... Read more
READER QUESTION:
Code Carefully for Arch Taping
Question: What CPT code should I use for arch taping if patient education was the main foc... Read more
Get the Lowdown on Referral for Profit:
Why South Carolina Made It Illegal
Find out what your colleagues in that state are doing to stay compliant The highly contro... Read more
COVERAGE DETERMINATIONS:
Think Twice About Billing Infrared Therapy Treatments
CMS will not reimburse this modality You may be one of the many therapy clinics that love ... Read more
New Pain Code Guidelines Are In:
Get the Scoop
Report 338.4 only when significant psychological dysfunction is documented Confused about... Read more
CLIP & SAVE:
Keep a Careful Eye on the OIG's 2007 Work Plan
See where your facility falls into the mix of scrutiny The HHS Office of Inspector General... Read more
HHAs:
Control Your Destiny With Billing Controls
Look for HIPPS codes that don't jibe Don't rest easy just because your Medicare margins ar... Read more
NEWS BRIEFS:
New Fee Schedule, Therapy Caps Spell Bad News
Not only will you be facing a $1,780 cap on physical therapy/speech-language pathology and... Read more
NEWS BRIEFS:
Cahaba Review Reveals 95% Error Rate
Fiscal intermediary Cahaba GBA released its third-quarter results of an inpatient rehabili... Read more
NEWS BRIEFS:
OIG Snags CORF for Unallowable Payments
If you're a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility, you might want to re-examine... Read more
NEWS BRIEFS:
Chicago HHA Takes a Hit
You'll want to tighten up your therapy claims oversight -- or risk losing thousands o... Read more
READER QUESTION:
Be Careful of Multiple Referrals
Question: On the same day, we provided physical therapy to a patient with referrals from t... Read more
READER QUESTION:
How to Code an Unlisted Body Region
Question: We had an athlete visit our office for therapy due to a strain of the gluteus ma... Read more
Available Years:  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000