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Eli's Rehab Report

Industry Alert:
Tune In: POPTS Stir the Pot in California
Experts dish why physician ownership of physical therapy services spells bad news.A heated... Read more
Compliance Corner:
Stand on Legal -- and Ethical -- Ground With POPTS
Careful: You may not even know you're in an illegal situation.California's not the only st... Read more
5010 Readiness:
Medicare Won't Penalize You for 5010 Non-Compliance Until March 31, 2012
Plus: Avoid PO boxes on 5010, despite what your MAC tells you.Sweating over the fact that ... Read more
Compliance:
It's The Season For Giving -- But Not Too Much
Keep OIG guidance in mind when deciding on your holiday gift list.With reimbursement chall... Read more
Fraud & Abuse:
Just Say No To Giving Gifts To Patients
It may be better to give than to receive, but keep costs low.You'd love to spread some hol... Read more
Therapy Assessment:
HHAs Get Answers to Therapy Reassessment Questions
Should you bill with no assessment? Although Medicare's therapy reassessment requirement w... Read more
Part B Questions & Answers
The following Q&As have been provided by Rick Gawenda, PT, president of Gawenda Semina... Read more
Industry Notes:
Don't Substitute Therapy Asst. For Home Health Aides
Don't be so quick to substitute a therapist assistant for a home health aide when you are ... Read more
Compliance:
Tighten Up Your Independent Therapy, Large Part B Payments in 2012
Get to know these two issues that will impact therapists next year under the OIG's 'Work P... Read more
Part B Coding Coach:
4 Tips Help Streamline Your Pulmonary Rehab Reimbursement
G0424 requires monitored exercise, and an hour's therapy of up to two sessions per day per... Read more
Fraud & Abuse:
Expect Therapy Pay Changes in Wake of Senate Report
Senate investigation blasts 3 of the 'big 4' companies for gaming the system.Regarding hom... Read more
Rehabilitation Therapy:
Consider This Creative Approach for Group Therapy
Therapy expert shares ideas for a weekend 'power group.'"Group therapy can be an avenue fo... Read more
Part B Questions & Answers
The following Q&As have been provided by Rick Gawenda, PT, president of Gawenda Semina... Read more
Industry Notes:
Home Care Companies Stand By Their Practices
The home care companies that are the subject of the Senate Finance Committee's report are ... Read more
Industry Update:
Find Out What Might Be Coming Down the Rehab Pike
One expert sees this issue as the 'most pressing concern.' Rehab Report recently tapped ex... Read more
Case Study:
Rehab Hospital UTI Pilot Includes Stroke, TBI Patients
An OT discusses assistive devices and toilet aids.Once Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital's C... Read more
ICD-10:
Not Planning to Transition to ICD-10 as of Oct. 1, 2013? You Might Be Liable for Fines, CMS Reps Say
Get the inside scoop on these FAQs.If you think the ICD-10 codes won't apply to your Medic... Read more
Payment:
CMS Clarifies Whether You'll Report ICD-9 Codes When Dates of Service Span ICD-10 Implementation Date
Transmittal provided needed information.As most practices know, MACs will no longer accept... Read more
Part B Questions & Answers
The following Q&A's have been provided by Rick Gawenda, PT, founder and president of G... Read more
Industry Notes:
Keep Your Therapy Reassessment Rules for Home Health Straight
Home health agencies continue to be confused about the timeframes for the therapy reassess... Read more
Medicare:
Beware These Therapy Payment Challenges
2 are oldies and one relatively new.Therapy providers shouldn't let their guard down yet o... Read more
Medicare:
Get the Scoop on the Final Inpatient Rehab Facility Rule
Check out the exclusion for this quality measure. The final IRF rule provides a 2.2 percen... Read more
Medicare Part A:
Are You on Top of the SNF PPS Final Rule?
Experts predict 2 potential effects of group therapy revisions.In the SNF PPS final rule, ... Read more
Case Study:
Don't Be Blindsided by High CAUTI Rates: Follow This Rehab Hospital's Lead
The QI effort didn't increase falls or pressure ulcers, says infection preventionist.You m... Read more
Industry News
Rehab therapists working in LTC facilities have a new duty to report a crime against a pat... Read more
Reader Question
Question: Does the Medicare program reimburse for CPT® code 95992, Canalith Re-posit... Read more
Reader Question
Question: Can you be reimbursed for other one-on-one codes on the same day you bill 95992 ... Read more
Reader Question
Question: What is the documentation of time requirements for outpatient therapy under the ... Read more
Reader Question
Question: What is the documentation of time requirements for non-Medicare insurance compan... Read more
Compliance:
Got Persistent Dizziness? Get An Audiologist
Take this interdisciplinary approach to return stability to patients' lives.If your practi... Read more
Reimbursement:
Add These Skills to Your Must-Have List For Billing Managers
3 key skills could make -- or break -- your billing and collections program.Whil... Read more
Coding:
Avoid Modifier 59 Inaccuracy With This Guide
Consider 59 your modifier of last resort, experts say.Many therapy practices have gotten c... Read more
Clinical Rehab Roundup:
Try This Intervention To Boost Outcomes For Osteoarthritis In Knees
Reduce women's pain with pulsed shortwave treatment -- at any dose.Pulsed Shortwave T... Read more
Industry News:
Heads Up, SLPs: Note This Supervision Requirement Update
But don't apply the change across the board.There's good news for speech-language patholog... Read more
Protect Your Patients From Scam Artists
Don't forget: Sometimes it's an in-house job.If your inpatient rehab facility's residents ... Read more
Alzheimer's Disease Should Trigger Falls Risk Assessment, Study Suggests
New detection strategy could be in the near future.Don't reserve your falls risk program f... Read more
Reader Question:
You Can Treat Patients At Home -- Here's How
Consider these rules when it might be safer for patients to stay home.Question: Some priva... Read more
Reader Question:
No Patient Authorization? Disclose No PHI
Question: Who's authorized to make a request to review a client's medical record? Would we... Read more
Toolkit:
Protect Patient Info From Third Parties' Eyes With A Compliance Contract
Don't assume your non-medical staff or associates won't see confidential data.Not all your... Read more
Trends:
Hammer Down These Details Before Offer Fitness Services
Asking key questions will help you avoid getting nailed for noncompliance -- or worse... Read more
Clinical Rehab Roundup:
Say "Om": Yoga Practice Could Decrease Falls Risk
Endurance levels could improve, too.Effect of a 12-Week Yoga Intervention on Fear of Falli... Read more
News:
APTA Wants More Safeguards In ACO Final Rule
The group has ten significant changes in mind.Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) are on... Read more
Try This Approach To Restore Stroke Victims' Sight
New third option could leave patients seeing clearly.Stroke survivors may not have to acce... Read more
ASHA Offers SLP Medical Review Guidelines
Avoid payer problems with this go-to guide.No one likes fighting with claims reviewers or ... Read more
Patient Privacy:
Peeking at Patient's PHI? Soon, They May Know You Did It
HHS proposes giving patients access to a list of providers who accessed their records.If y... Read more
Reader Question:
Here's How To Bill Secondary Insurance
Question: I am an OT in private practice, and I'd like to bill Medicare to get a denial on... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Ask PTs to Lend OTs A Hand
Question: We've had situations where our only OT on staff is out, but we have other PTs av... Read more
Regulations:
New Legislation Takes On Therapy Cap
If passed, bill would permanently repeal $1,870 ceiling for therapy services.Lawmakers are... Read more
Compliance:
Rely On One Patient Summary To Ace Your Next Joint Commission Survey
Multiple forms won't suffice when surveyors come knocking.You can spend weeks preparing fo... Read more
Privacy:
Have Patient Data? You Can Still Travel Safely
Just make sure you maintain your HIPAA compliance on the road.Protecting your clients' pri... Read more
Focus On Your Laptop's Physical Security
You can minimize the risk of people inadvertently seeing protected health information on y... Read more
Clip & Save:
Home In On Target Data With A Patient Summary Template
Here's a handy guide to creating a form that keeps you in compliance.Worried your patient ... Read more
News:
Expect FISS Payment Adjustments Coming Soon
CMS is correcting therapy claims submitted after Jan. 1, 2011.If you noticed something off... Read more
Medicare Fraud Lands Therapy Clinic Owners In The Slammer
Court doubles down -- owners must also pay $345K each in restitution.You'd better pro... Read more
Your Facebook Posts Can Come Back To Haunt You
Don't risk patients' privacy just to blow off steam.The last thing your practice needs is ... Read more
Reader Question:
Simplify Your Timed Code Treatment Specifics
Distinguish between required and voluntary reporting for timed codes.Question: Currently, ... Read more
Reader Question:
Look To Your State Law For Timely Filing Rules
But don't just disregard payer policies.Question: One of our commercial payers has a timel... Read more
Trends:
Don't Blur The Line Between Fitness and Therapy
But you can tap into this growing trend safely -- here's how.You already have the fac... Read more
Compliance:
Count Your Therapy Reassessment Visits Like This
Newly published CMS fact sheet attempts to clear up confusion.Without Medicare manual inst... Read more
Clinical Rehab Roundup:
Improve Stroke Patients' Gait Patterns With This Advice
Walking a little faster can lead to big improvements, study shows.Influence of Systematic ... Read more
Regulations:
4 Strategies To Stop RACs From Catching You By Surprise
Now's the time to improve your billing and documentation.If recovery audit contractor (RAC... Read more
Count Therapy Assistance When Coding Daily Activities
Ask therapists for all documentation upfront.Question: Can a facility count activities of ... Read more
Human Resources:
Draw A Firm Line Between Patient And Partner
Don't let a romantic involvement leave you on the outs with state rules.If you think you c... Read more
Industry Notes:
Feds Ready To Prosecute Repeat Rehab Fraudster
Authorities have long memory when it comes to Medicare scammers.Just because a Medicare fr... Read more
Let EDs Know:
We've Got Your Back
Attack back pain where it's most common -- hospitals.Can you guess what made the top ... Read more
SLPs To Workplaces:
Listen Up and Quiet Down
OSHA works with industry leaders to reduce number of patients with hearing loss.Speech-lan... Read more
Reader Questions:
Ready To Treat? Look For This Keyword First
Don't let a physician's rush leave your records lacking.Question: Our inpatient hospital r... Read more
Compliance:
5 Tips Help PTs Make The Most of Agencies' New Therapy Requirements
Many agencies are overwhelmed by the new rule -- here's how you can help.Home health ... Read more
Regulations:
Study These Therapy Changes Hitting Agencies This April
It's no April Fool's Day joke -- the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services fin... Read more
Practice Pointers:
Retain Clients By Examining -- & Improving -- Their First Impressions
Find -- and fill -- your practice's gaps with this self-assessment tool.Your pra... Read more
Toolkit:
Use This Template To Develop Your Assessment Tool
Remember to customize the prompts to fit your level and priorities.If you don't know how y... Read more
Clinical Rehab Roundup:
Promote Assistive Technologies To Meet Special-Needs Students' Goals
Occupational therapists can take the lead on making AT a standard part of special-educatio... Read more
Industry News:
Ramp Up Your At-Home Therapy Options For Stroke Patients
New study reveals intensity of physical therapy -- not location -- matters most.... Read more
Don't Break Out the 1099s, Legislators Say
House and Senate committees are protecting practices from undue tax burdens.Worried about ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Can't Verify Insurance? Back Up With ABN
Follow these best practices to avoid interrupted therapy progress.Question: One of our cli... Read more
Regulations:
Red Flags Rule Is Off The Table For Therapy
But you shouldn't skimp on ID theft protections, experts warn.Therapists worried about the... Read more
Trends:
Stop Bullying Behavior With These Strategies
SLPs can turn the school setting into a safe zone for children who stutter.Ask any speech-... Read more
Practice Pointers:
Work Wii-Habilitation Into Your Patients' Routines
But be sure to tread carefully in billing territory.If you aren't offering -- and pro... Read more
Sample Document:
Streamline Patient Referrals With This Checklist
Use this tool to take the guesswork out of determining when therapy is the best option.Whi... Read more
Clinical Rehab Roundup:
Improve Patients' Self-Control Now To Boost Outcomes Later
Impulsive children are more likely to suffer health consequences later -- unless you ... Read more
News:
Act Fast When Patients Alert You To Problems
Two patients' proactive stance stopped a bad therapist in her tracks.Most therapists give ... Read more
Use This Process To Resolve Billing Disputes
Palmetto attempts to streamline -- and speed up -- the process.You have a new pr... Read more
Reader Question:
Count On 'Consecutive' To Determine A Therapy Week
You can still skip days when necessary, though.Question: Our therapists aren't on the same... Read more
Reader Question:
Here's How To Handle Multiple Orders For The Same Care
You shouldn't bill twice for the same work, experts say.Question: Our outpatient clinic is... Read more
Trends:
4 Steps Get Your Practice Report-Card Ready To Prove Your Quality Care
Quality reporting is optional now, but don't expect that to last. Think potential clients... Read more
Patient Privacy:
Don't Get Spooked By A Lawyer's Records Request
Avoid violating HIPAA when lawyers pressure you for patients' confidential information. I... Read more
IRFs:
Claim Credit For Part A Patients' Short Stays -- Here's How
Expect eight tough hoops to jump through. Just because patients don't receive five days o... Read more
Clinical Rehab Roundup:
Take This Approach To Treating Breast Cancer Patients' Lymphedema
Active resistance exercise should be in your therapy bag of tricks, research reveals. Eff... Read more
Development:
Get The Most Out Of Your Next Conference
Use these strategies to turn conferences into goldmines for your practice. Attending a co... Read more
Industry News:
Bank On 2010's Pay Rate In 2011
New legislation pushes pay cut back to 2012. Worried about the 25-percent cut to Medicare... Read more
Offer Therapy Mix For Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injuries
Coordinated therapy could be the answer to re-wiring the brain after trauma. Patients who... Read more
Add "Check Exclusion List" To Your Hiring Policy
Spot and report exclusion mistakes before the OIG comes knocking. If you forget to check ... Read more
Reader Questions:
Say Yes To At-Home Outpatient Treatment -- Sometimes
Question: A few of our Part B clients have asked to receive their outpatient treatment in... Read more
Reader Questions:
Return Overpayments Immediately -- Or Else
Question: We've discovered that a patient overpaid us on her copay. We collected $50, whi... Read more
Available Years:  2011  2010  2009  2008  2007  2006  2005  2004  2003  2002  2001  2000