Posted on Monday, June 24, 2019 3:29 AM
New bipartisan legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate that would give Occupational Therapists the ability to open home health cases. This legislation is supported in the industry because it is widely thought that the discipline which will be most utilized throughout care should be the one performing the initial patient assessment.
Occupational therapy (OT) has long been recognized as a critical element of home health care as its focus is on functional capabilities and home safety. OT is frequently ordered on physicians’ initial plans of care, OT services alone, however, do not “establish eligibility” for home health services.
Current Medicare regulations create an imbalance among the skilled therapy services. Even when ordered on the plan of care, occupational therapists are not permitted to conduct the required initial visit under Medicare. They are not allowed to complete the comprehensive assessment unless OT is the qualifying service.
NAHC is asking you to contact your elected representatives and tell them that you support this important legislation.
Source: NAHC Report
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