Eli's Rehab Report

Question: I'm wondering what to do if I see a Medicare patient and initially fill out a 700 form, but then I decide after a couple of treatments that I want to take the patient off schedule because I've determined that she doesn't have the ability to continue with the therapy program at that time. Should I then fill out a 701 form, or should I just fill out the bottom of the 700 form?

Massachusetts Subscriber
 
Answer: If you're going to take the patient off schedule, assuming by which you mean discharge, you would just need to do a discharge summary or discharge report. A 701 form is not a required document and never has been. Facilities that use 700 and 701 forms typically use them as the evaluation and re-evaluation/progress report, respectively, and sometimes for the purpose of certifications and recertifications.

Nonetheless, anytime you are "taking somebody off schedule" or discharging, you need to do the discharge report. You may not be able to fit all that information on the 701, and if that is the case, you need to create a separate document or a separate entry in the patient's medical record. Remember to include your subjective and objective data, an assessment of why you're discharging, the patient's functional status at time of discharge (that is, the last visit), and if you have any further plans for the patient.