Reader Questions:
Master This Tricky Recertification Timing Issue For Part B Therapy
Published on Fri Jan 16, 2009
HHAs offering outpatient therapy shouldn't create more work for themselves due to the new cert period. Question: Are there limitations to the duration I can set for a plan of care with Medicare's new 90-day recertification period for Part B therapy? For example, if I get a referral from an MD for therapy three times per week for eight weeks, I should set my plan of care for eight weeks, right? But what if the patient misses one week due to illness -- do I have to establish a new POC when my initial POC's four weeks is up, even if I have only seen the patient for six visits? Florida Subscriber Answer: A Part B therapy plan of care under Medicare can be no longer than 90 days, but you're free to vary your frequency within a certified POC as long as you do not exceed your original plan length, [...]