Eli's Rehab Report
Careful -- RACs Are Watching Your Untimed Therapy Codes
PDF
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' notorious Recovery Audit Contractors are going after more than just inpatient rehab facilities. Two RACs, Connolly Healthcare and Health Data Insights, Inc., have their eyes on outpatient therapy, particularly untimed therapy codes, according to the Aug. 14 edition of PT Bulletin Online. For example, Connolly Healthcare's Web site indicates that providers should enter only "one" in the units billed column per date of service. An example of an untimed code would be a PT or OT evaluation (97001 or 97003). The RAC also mentioned that it would not consider modifiers KX or 59 in these CPT codes. Remember:
"While Region C consists of several states, it appears Connolly will target its efforts in South Carolina at this time," the Bulletin said. "Health Data Insights will target claims in all 20 states under its authority. RACs for Regions A and B, have not yet listed information about their auditing activities on their Web sites."
Eli's Rehab Report
- Business Strategies:
Tough Economic Times? Try These Innovative Ways to Save
Small things add up: for example, buying cheaper stationery. Economic recession or not, cutting costs [...] - Inpatient Insights:
Heads Up: Final PPS Rule Packs a Punch for IRFs
The good news: Some hidden perks are lurking inside, too. If you felt like a [...] - Practice Pointers:
Don't Get Too Discount-Happy With Patients
Show your therapists the numbers. During these tight times, many therapists are afraid that if [...] - SNFs:
SNF PPS Final Rule Gives Rehab a Run for Its Money
CMS puts its foot down on concurrent therapy. For rehab providers in skilled nursing facilities [...] - CLINICAL REHAB ROUNDUP:
Should You Restrain the Unaffected Limb in Stroke Rehab?
Effects of forced use on arm function in the subacute phase after stroke: a randomized, [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Get Confident With Your Modifier 59 Placement
Question: One of my therapists performed a suboccipital myofacial release with a patient for 10 [...] - READER QUESTIONS:
Know Where You Stand on Therapy Caps in 2009
Question: I am trying to verify the information from a News Brief in Eli's Rehab [...] - NEWS BRIEFS:
Careful -- RACs Are Watching Your Untimed Therapy Codes
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' notorious Recovery Audit Contractors are going after more [...] - NEWS BRIEFS:
Competitive Bidding Gears Up for October Launch
Suppliers waiting on pins and needles for the onset of competitive bidding now have a [...] - NEWS BRIEFS:
Medicare Unveils Proposed 2010 HHA PPS Rates
CMS just released its proposal for Home Health PPS 2010 -- and experts warn not to [...]