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Eli's Rehab Report
Eli's Rehab Report
Eli's Rehab Report - 2009; Volume 10, Number 12
Compliance:
Heads Up: Feds Pinpoint Therapists in Major Incident To Snafus
Make sure qualified therapists are performing therapy services. Reports from the HHS Offi...
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Practice Pointers:
Read This Refresher on Supervision Rules
Keep incident-to billing and assistant supervision issues separate. While you're thinking...
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Coding Corner:
Don't Forget: Newest ICD-9 Codes Take Effect NOW
SLPs: Take note of the speech-language related revisions and additions. Last July, we ann...
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Home Health:
Take Your HHA's Hospital Readmissions Down a Notch
Patient education is just as important as your therapists' education. Of all post-acute c...
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Explore Visiting Physicians for Your HHA
Although this wouldn't fall under the home health agency (HHA) license, your home health o...
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SNFs:
Final SNF PPS Rule Provides Leeway for Capturing Rehab for Short-Stay Patients
You can't project therapy minutes under RUG-IV, but you can do this. If you're still reel...
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CLINICAL REHAB ROUNDUP:
Exercise Offers Leukemia Patients Multiple Perks
Exercise Offers Leukemia Patients Multiple Perks The effects of an exercise program in le...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Power Mobility Coalition Sticks Up for Wheelchair Suppliers
Wheelchair suppliers take exception to the Office of Inspector Generals (OIG)'s August rep...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Got Surveyors? Know Your EHRs Inside-Out
If you manage a rehab setting that sees surveyors (any setting including comprehensive out...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Keep a Close Eye on Your Workers' Comp Claims
Think you can let your coding and documentation slide for your Workers' Compensation cases...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Therapy Caps, Direct Access Issues See Hope in Congress
Waiting for the Medicare therapy cap exceptions process to expire once again at the end of...
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READER QUESTIONS:
Electronic Signatures Are A-OK
Question: Lately, when a physician has authorized additional therapy for our patients, ou...
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READER QUESTIONS:
Don't Stretch a Code Beyond Its Boundaries
Question: We have a podiatrist who is ordering iontophoresis for a patient. I understand ...
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Eli's Rehab Report - 2009; Volume 10, Number 11
Business Strategies:
Tough Economic Times? Try These Innovative Ways to Save
Small things add up: for example, buying cheaper stationery. Economic recession or not...
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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 bomb dropped...
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Practice Pointers:
Don't Get Too Discount-Happy With Patients
Show your therapists the numbers. During these tight times, many therapists are afraid th...
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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 faci...
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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, c...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Careful -- RACs Are Watching Your Untimed Therapy Codes
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' notorious Recovery Audit Contractors are...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Competitive Bidding Gears Up for October Launch
Suppliers waiting on pins and needles for the onset of competitive bidding now have a firm...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Medicare Unveils Proposed 2010 HHA PPS Rates
CMS just released its proposal for Home Health PPS 2010 -- and experts warn not to be...
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READER QUESTIONS:
Get Confident With Your Modifier 59 Placement
Question: One of my therapists performed a suboccipital myofacial release with a patient ...
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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 Report, ...
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Eli's Rehab Report - 2009; Volume 10, Number 10
Outpatient Outlook:
Tune In to Medicare Therapy Cap,Reimbursement Hot Spots Around the Corner
Proposed Physician Fee Schedule brings good and bad news for rehab providers. It's that t...
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Practice Pointers:
Tap Into the Gold Mine of Exercise Prescriptions
You can't afford not to build this into your business model. Prevention and wellness busi...
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Business Strategies:
Snag Moneymaking Opportunities in Rehab by Thinking Outside the Box
Example: Pilates-based PT may attract more than just those who need rehab. With a growing...
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Inpatient Insights:
3-Step Recipe to Avoiding Readmissions in Your Post-Acute Settings
Key ingredient: rock-solid training. If you aren't watching your hospital readmissions, t...
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SNFs:
Consider a Full-Time PA or NP
The most frequent advice Fran Fowler, FAAHC,managing director of Health Dimensions Group i...
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CLINICAL REHAB ROUNDUP:
Consider 3 Factors When Assessing Athletes With Low Back Pain
Relationship between the hip and low back pain in athletes who participate in rotation-re...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
No New NPWT Codes, CMS Says
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Agency of Healthcare Research and...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Watch for IRS Scrutiny This Year
Are you keeping your practice tax-law compliant? The Internal Revenue Service recently ind...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Feds Turn Up the HEAT on Fraud Enforcement
You should have your eye on the RACs, the OIG, the IRS, and other Medicare/Medicaid audito...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Good News: You Could Be off the Hook From Red Flag Rules
Busy writing an identity theft prevention program, thanks to the Federal Trade Commission'...
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READER QUESTIONS:
Get Confident With Your Therapy Diagnoses in Billing
Question: I want to make sure we're billing our diagnosis codes to Medicare compliantly. ...
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READER QUESTIONS:
Troubleshoot Your MBS Billing Hang-Ups
Question: I'm in a hospital setting, and we're having trouble billing Medicare for modifi...
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Eli's Rehab Report - 2009; Volume 10, Number 9
Inpatient Insights:
Brace for Change: Post-Acute Bundling Could Bring You Big Business Snafus
See what experts are predicting for your rehab setting. Heads up, rehab providers in s...
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Survival Strategies:
3 Moves That'll Spell Success in Post-Acute Bundling
Out-of-the box thinking is key to post-acute rehab’s survival. Post-acute payme...
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Clip and Save:
Does Your Referral Form Need Updating?
Plus: Discover another creative way to put your marketing efforts to good use. Don&rs...
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Speech Spotlight:
SLPs: Watch for Hiccups in Enrollment Process
Direct Medicare provider enrollment saga continues. If you’re a speech-language...
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SNFs:
Scrutinize Your Part A Concurrent Therapy Now
The handwriting appears to be on the wall for this type of intervention. When the fed...
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CLINICAL REHAB ROUNDUP:
Ther Ex Not Just for the Physically Injured
The benefits of physical activity for youth with developmental disabilities: a ...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Watch Out for New False Claims Rules
President Barack Obama recently signed the Federal Enforcement and Recovery Act...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Check Out This Therapy Cap Freebie
If you’re affected by the Medicare therapy caps, you’re in for a we...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Beware the Latest Medicare Scam
Keep a sharp eye on incoming faxes, and advise your office staff to do the same...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Lab Coat Debate Brings Safety Into the Picture
Think your PTs should wear lab coats for a good impression? A growing buzz that...
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READER QUESTIONS:
Timed-Code Rules Go Beyond 15-Minute Units
Question: In the May 1, 2009 issue (Vol.10 No. 6), the article on speech-langua...
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READER QUESTIONS:
Billing an Eval? See What Else You Can Bill
Question: I just returned to practice after several years off. I read the Reade...
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Eli's Rehab Report - 2009; Volume 10, Number 8
SNFs :
Say Hello to Big-Time Proposed Changes to SNF PPS
Proposed RUG-IV ditches therapy projection, and more. The proposed Skilled Nursing Facili...
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Reimbursement :
Meanwhile, SNFs Brace for a Part A Payment Cut
CMS re-attempts case-mix recalibration. If you manage an in-house rehab department or con...
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Billing :
3 Ways to Boost Your Wound Care Reimbursement
Learn how to incorporate more revenuegenerating procedures among those $0 reimbursement c...
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Practice Pointers :
Try These Revenue- Boosting Wound Care Treatment Plan Tips
Dressing-change-only visits won't keep you afloat for long. Feel like you're doing everyt...
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Coding Corner :
Tune In to These Proposed Diagnosis Codes
SLPs: Phonation and resonance disorders get better distinction. Speech-language pathologi...
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CLINICAL REHAB ROUNDUP :
OTs: Try a TAP for Your Patients With Dementia
The Tailored Activity Program to Reduce Behavioral Symptoms in Individuals With Dementia:...
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NEWS BRIEFS :
Occupational Therapy in the CERT Hot Seat
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently outlined the results of its late...
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NEWS BRIEFS :
IRFs: Watch Your Interrupted Stays -- OIG Is Alert
The HHS Office of Inspector General released a report May 1 that reviewed interrupted stay...
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NEWS BRIEFS :
Kentucky Physicians Get a Green Light to Bill for PT
One orthopedic physician has been fighting for the right to bill for physical therapy serv...
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NEWS BRIEFS :
Direct Access Advocacy Climbs to Federal Level
If your state has a direct access law, Congress is working to let you apply that to your M...
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READER QUESTIONS :
Tread Carefully With Group Therapy in IRFs
Question: A Reader Question in Physical Medicine & Rehab Coding Alert, Vol. 9, No. 11,...
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READER QUESTIONS :
Reconsider Spending Your Counseling Time in Person
Question: My outpatient pediatric SLPs spend a lot of time on the phone talking to parent...
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Eli's Rehab Report - 2009; Volume 10, Number 7
Inpatient Insights :
Prepare for a Basketful of Changes in the Proposed 2010 IRF PPS
Admission screening, care planning slated to change. The Centers fo...
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Audits :
Put RAC Preparation at the Top of Your To-Do List
Inpatient rehab facilities arent the only rehab settings expected to be grille...
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IRFS:
Let Your Thoughts be Known!
Lots of changes are slated for inpatient rehab facilities for FY 2010, and you have more...
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Survival Guide :
6 Steps to Prepare You for the RAC Audit Onslaught
Make CMS payment guidelines work for you -- not against you. A...
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Speech Spotlight :
Going Independent in July? Don't Miss These Business Details
Nail down where you can provide your SLP services. The last issue o...
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CLINICAL REHAB ROUNDUP :
Parkinson Patients Should Direct Attention Away From Their Bodies
External focus instructions reduce postural instability in individuals with Pa...
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NEWS BRIEFS :
Congress Works a Miracle: FY 2010 Budget Resolution Passes
Wondering what your Medicare pay will look like in 2010? Congress just passed a $3.4...
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NEWS BRIEFS :
Non-Exempt Suppliers: Jump on the DMEPOS Accreditation Boat
Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists are e...
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NEWS BRIEFS :
CMS Drops Major Bomb for SNFs in Proposed 2010 PPS
Heads up, therapists in skilled nursing facility settings: CMS just released the Pro...
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NEWS BRIEFS :
Keep Closer Tabs on Your Hospital Readmissions
Heads up, post-acute rehab providers: CMS wants to get a handle on the number of Med...
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READER QUESTIONS :
Billing 97001/97003 With 97542? Know This First
Question: In my fiscal intermediarys local coverage determination (Cahaba GBA for Al...
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READER QUESTIONS :
Not Treating Medicare Patients? Watch for
Question: In the last issue, I read the article about how therapists cant opt ...
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Eli's Rehab Report - 2009; Volume 10, Number 6
Outpatient Outlook:
Congress Shines a Ray of Hope on Therapy Cap Repeal
Senate Budget Committee crunches some numbers in favor of outpatient therapy. ...
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Compliance:
Want to Opt Out of Medicare? Not So Fast!
PTs, OTs, and SLPs have a different set of rules than physicians. I...
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Speech Spotlight:
5 Must-Have Tips for SLPs Going Independent
SLPs have a lot to do before July 1 to bill Medicare directly. If y...
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Coding Corner:
Brush Up on Your Speech-Language Coding Skills
Think in units of hours for the timed codes. Think youve got coding...
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CLINICAL REHAB ROUNDUP:
Cochlear Implants Get a Thumbs-Up
Quality of life for children with cochlear implants:perceived health benefits ...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Canalith Repositioning Back in the Reimbursement Saddle
Last October, physical and occupational therapists cheered the unveiling of th...
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READER QUESTIONS:
Watch Out for This Incident-to Snafu
Question: If one of my therapists is supervising an assistant doing treatment,...
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READER QUESTIONS:
Juggle Disciplines Wisely With the 3-Hour Rule
Question: Can I count speech therapy toward the 3-hour rule in my inpatient re...
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Eli's Rehab Report - 2009; Volume 10, Number 5
IRFs:
Get on the Cutting Edge of CMS's IRF Plans
Keep business as usual, experts recommend. Feel like your inpatient rehab facility is han...
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HHAs:
Is Your PTA and COTA Utilization Hurting Your Agency?
See where most HHAs go wrong when it comes to these valuable assistants. A huge caseload ...
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Coding Corner:
Test Your Therapy Coding Savvy and Find Blind Spots
Use this quiz to boost your coding confidence -- and your bottom line. A small misco...
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SNFs:
5 Ways to Keep Your Short-Stay Rehab Efforts Top-Notch
Plus, learn how to get a shot at a higher RUG score at the same time. To provide top-notc...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
RACs Get Back on Track
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Recovery Audit Contractor program is re...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Keep Your Therapy Cap Payments Flowing Smoothly
The outpatient therapy cap is $1,840 for 2009, but your CMS contractor's claims system wo...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
National Home Care Association Tunes In to Rehab
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice has approved a new committee to focu...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Obama Gives New SCHIP Legislation a Go
President Barack Obama signed into legislation on Feb. 4 a bill that reauthorizes the Sta...
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CLINICAL REHAB ROUNDUP
Try Motor Control Exercises for Low Back Pain Motor control exercise for persistent, ...
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READER QUESTIONS:
Clear Up Confusion Over Provider Enrollment Changes
Question: In the last issue of Physical Medicine & Rehab Coding Alert, I read your st...
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READER QUESTIONS:
How to Add Another Discipline to Your Hospital Program
Question: I'm in a hospital-based rehab clinic that offers only physical therapy. There's...
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Eli's Rehab Report - 2009; Volume 10, Number 4
Compliance:
Provider Enrollment Changes Could Take a Bite Out of Your Claims
Strategy: Get your new therapists on board early. Heads up, outpatient rehab providers in...
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Inpatient Insights:
4 Red Flags That Spell Payer Scrutiny at Your IRF
Plus, things you may not know you can do with physician orders. You know how easy it is t...
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Practice Pointers:
Try These 3-Hour Rule Strategies on for Size
Nail this requirement any way you look at it. Having trouble keeping up with the three-...
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*News Flash* :
Good News: Congress Turns Attention to Rehab Once Again
Lawmakers shoot for a full therapy cap repeal. Looking for relief in recession? Therapy c...
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CLINICAL REHAB ROUNDUP:
Treating COPD? Home Rehab a Viable Alternative to Outpatient Rehab
Effects of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmo...
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Tool:
Keep Track of PQRI Measures
Know the correct quality data codes to put on your claims form. If you're a PT or OT in p...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Got NPWT Devices? Gear Up for Coding Changes
If your practice or facility administers negative pressure wound therapy, watch for upcom...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
OIG Slams Mississippi Doctor for PT Fraud
A licensed Mississippi physician was arrested in December for fraudulently billing the fe...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
CMS Wraps Up MAC Contracting Project
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced its final five Medicare Admini...
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NEWS BRIEFS; Michigan to Hand SLPs Licensure Requirements
On Dec. 19, 2008, Michigan became the 48th state to pass licensure legislation for speech...
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READER QUESTIONS:
Clear Up Confusion Over the Word 'Agency'
Question: When you refer to rehab agencies in the fee schedule story in Eli's Rehab Repor...
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READER QUESTIONS:
What to Do With a PT and OT Coding Crossover
Question: What happens if physical therapy and occupational therapy is working on the sa...
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Eli's Rehab Report - 2009; Volume 10, Number 3
Audits:
Think an Auditor's Decision Means the End-of-Story? Think Again!
See how one CORF fought -- and won some money back. Don't be afraid to dispute an ...
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Billing:
Gear Up for Q1 With These Deductible Collection Tips
Save time, effort by learning the pros and cons of up-front collection. Collecting ded...
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Long-Term Care:
MDS 3.0 Is Coming: Get the Scoop on Therapy Changes
Say hello to a more accurate assessment tool. If you provide therapy in a skilled nursing...
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SNF Reimbursement:
MDS 3.0: Section G Changes Likely to Stir the Pot
Drastic ADL scoring changes could wipe out the RMX RUG category. If you work in a skilled...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Hospital Outpatient PT May Wrestle With Medicaid Reimbursement
If you provide outpatient therapy services in a hospital setting, pay attention to the la...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Physical Therapy Clinic Pays Up for Anti-Kickback Violations and More
Advanced Centers for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Inc. and Maryland Sportscare...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
Check Out the New WHO Wheelchair Guidelines
The World Health Organization recently launched new guidelines on providing manual wheelc...
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NEWS BRIEFS:
U.S. Physical Therapy Acquires San Antonio Clinics
Physical therapy giant U.S. Physical Therapy announced on Nov. 18 that it acquired a 65 ...
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CLINICAL REHAB ROUNDUP:
CLINICAL REHAB ROUNDUP:
Consider Low-Frequency Electric Muscle Stimulation for Total Hip Arthroplasties In th...
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READER QUESTIONS:
Avoid Billing Pitfalls With 97012 and 97140
Question: One of my therapists performed a suboccipital myofacial release with a patient...
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READER QUESTIONS:
No Timed-Procedure Billing Guidelines? Try This
Question: Which guidelines should I use when billing timed procedures to non-Medicare ca...
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READER QUESTIONS:
Know the Billing Criteria RACs Will Be Referencing
Question: In the December issue of Eli's Rehab Report, Vol. 15, No. 12, your article on R...
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Eli's Rehab Report - 2009; Volume 10, Number 2
Outpatient Outlook:
Gear Up for 2009 With This Medicare Fee Schedule Final Rule Analysis
SLPs: Keep your fingers crossed for better MBS reimbursement.Without the therapy cap excep...
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Quality of Care:
Don't Pass Up a 2% Bonus: Rehab Welcomes New PQRI Measures
Despite bonus payment issues, experts recommend you get involved if you can.Get ready to j...
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Long-Term Care:
Restorative, Rehab, or Both? The Wrong Answer Can Cost Your SNF
4 quick questions can keep your care and payment on track. Your skilled nursing facilit...
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Practice Pointers:
Amp Up Your SNF Therapy Documentation With the Right Details
Use this gait training example as a model.So your SNF has decided to go with rehab therapy...
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Clinical Rehab Roundup:
High-Force Eccentric Resistance Training Shows Promise for Diabetes Cases
"Comparison of combined aerobic and high-force eccentric resistance exercise with aerobic ...
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News Briefs:
CMS Gears Up for New Therapy Payment Study
You may have just heard about the CMS contract with Research Triangle Institute to carry o...
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News Briefs:
Keep an Eye on National Healthcare Reform
U.S. Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) unveiled a whopping healthcare reform plan at a Nov. 12 pre...
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News Briefs:
Heads Up: Therapists Could Be Considered 'Creditors'
Last summer, the Federal Trade Commission issued its "Red Flags Rules" that require financ...
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News Briefs:
U.S. Physical Therapy Acquires San Antonio Clinics
Physical therapy giant U.S. Physical Therapy announced on Nov. 18 that it acquired a 65 pe...
Read more
Reader Questions:
Know Your Therapy Cap Exceptions to a Tee
Question: I need clarification about therapy cap exceptions on different treatments done w...
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Reader Questions:
Get Answers to This Tricky Recertification Timing Issue
Question: Are there limitations to the duration I can set for a plan of care with Medica...
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Eli's Rehab Report - 2009; Volume 10, Number 1
Audits:
Get Ready: CMS Is Launching Its Full-Blown RAC Program
What every rehab provider should know about RAC audits in advance. The Centers for Med...
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Practice Pointers:
4 Things Every Rehab Manager Can Do to Prepare for RACs
It's never too late to improve your billing and documentation practices.Providers who thin...
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Outpatient Outlook:
Say Hello to a New CPT for CRM Procedures
Learn important information on Medicare's reimbursement decision.New CPT Codes just came ...
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Home Health:
Watch Out: Home Health Therapy Makes OIG's Hit List
Use these 2 tips to avoid hot spot pitfalls.Your therapy visits could land you in hot wate...
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Coding Corner:
Get a Sneak Peek Into the ICD-10 Format
... and know what to expect for staff training.You read about the controversial ICD-10 imp...
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Clinical Rehab Roundup:
Try Activity Strategy Training With
"Effects of activity strategy training on pain and physical activity in older adults with ...
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News Briefs:
ASHA Tackles Special Needs Personnel Shortages
For organizations that are short on school-based speech-language pathologists and audiolog...
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News Briefs:
OIG Has an Eye on Rehab for 2009
The HHS Office of Inspector General has once again released its annual laundry list of aud...
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News Briefs:
MAC Transition Proves Rocky for California Therapists
If your Medicare contractor hasn't yet transitioned to a Medicare Administrative Contracto...
Read more
Reader Questions:
Follow the Correct Group Therapy Practices for Your Setting
Question: I've heard that long-term care settings can concurrently treat two patients with...
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