“I’m too sick for therapy today.” “Come back later.” “Leave me alone.” If you’ve worked in long-term care (or hospitals or LTACHs or acute rehab hospitals), you’ve heard...
It’s time for ‘the talk’ about healthcare fraud
By
John O'Connor
Aug 01, 2016
Some necessary conversations tend to be awkward and uncomfortable. They include talking to our children about baby making. Or convincing our parents to give up the car keys. Or talking to government investigators...
Calling safe! Before you are … OUT!
By
Renee Kinder
Jul 05, 2018
In a culture that calls for more person-centered and person-directed care, we often have to caution our patients to not call themselves “safe,” before they are discharged out of our care.
Top therapy reimbursement for everyone: here’s how
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Jul 18, 2011
If the Ultra High is the highest level of allowable treatment we may seek, it’s our professional obligation to clinically provide these levels of service to every patient.
Learning about doll therapy
By
Bruce Barnet
Dec 26, 2014
Many long-term facilities are turning to doll therapy to help their residents. Some therapists use the term “Nurture Therapy,” as they feel it is more appropriate when dealing with adult patients...
Pay for performance, medical necessity and Jimmo
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Jun 04, 2014
Why would anyone mention value-based reimbursement, medical necessity and the Jimmo lawsuit in the same sentence? I feel they are all related, but it will be difficult to find the perfect balancing act...
Fiscal molehill for rehab providers
By
Shelly Mesure, MS, OTR/L
Jan 02, 2013
Well, we didn’t completely go off the “fiscal cliff,” but we’re definitely heading for a downward slope.
Cutting with a plan — it applies to you too
By
Renee Kinder
Aug 16, 2018
With all the buzz, excitement, and, need I say, even moments of panic around the final rule and clarifications for the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM), we as an industry need to remain purposeful in...
Poor, poor pitiful me
By
Gary Tetz
Sep 06, 2018
When I ask rehab patients about the precipitating event that brought them to therapy, they can at least answer the question. Maybe they tripped on a zucchini vine, slipped on a grape in the grocery store...
CMS: Count on lower reimbursement levels, tougher scrutiny of provider billing practices
Oct 18, 2011
Providers at a special healthcare policy forum in Washington received a sobering evaluation Monday for why they were hit with an average 11.1% cut in Medicare reimbursement starting Oct. 1. A top long-term...