Webinar Recording: Documentation Skilled Care: The Key to Avoiding Denials

Recorded on March 10, 2021 Medicare and other payers only cover services that require the skills of a therapist. Documentation requirements focus on demonstrating that skills of a therapist are required and clear documentation of skilled care is the key to withstanding any chart audit. This course will focus on the following elements of skilled care documentation: • Why is it important to document that skills of a therapist are necessary? • What are Medicare’s specific requirements for documenting therapist skills? • Which other payers apply Medicare documentation rules? • How should you document skilled care in special situations like for maintenance therapy? • What “red flags” trigger denials? • What are examples of denied claims? • What are key words you can use to adequately document that skills of a therapist are necessary? We will also be sharing and discussing examples of documenting skilled care for therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, neuromuscular reeducation and therapeutic activities. Cindy Murray, PT is the Executive Vice-President/Chief Operating Officer for OrthoTexas Physicians and Surgeons in the North Texas area. The group is comprised of over 160 employees, 15 orthopedic and pain management physicians and surgeons, and Physical and Occupational Therapy. Cindy practiced as a licensed physical therapist in Texas from 1992 to 2018 until she exited the clinic to focus solely on her administrative roles. During her entire career, Cindy has specialized in both the clinical and regulatory aspects of outpatient orthopaedics. Currently, she oversees a rehab staff of 47 employees at 6 locations, and is responsible for all operational aspects including chart reviews and coding and documentation training for all PT/OT providers and directors.