The physiatrist’s role in post-acute rehabilitation
By
Steve M. Gnatz, M.D.
Dec 09, 2015
In the IRF environment, it is mandated by federal regulation that the rehabilitation physician performs several key functions. It is not specified that this doctor necessarily be a physiatrist, but only...
Focus on life safety during the management of COVID-19
By
Stan Szpytek
Mar 24, 2020
Note: This story was updated on May 12 to reflect new regulatory changes. As skilled nursing facilities around the nation rise to the challenges of managing this current infectious disease outbreak, providers...
The future of restorative
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Jun 11, 2019
For those who are considering how to manage therapy in four months when they’re no longer using therapy as the primary revenue-producer, how about utilizing the therapy staff more for training restorative?
Which matters most: Social media or Five-Star?
By
Steven Littlehale
May 27, 2022
Recently my colleague Ken Kelley, MS, OTR/L, RAC-CT, a clinical consultant/reimbursement specialist, posited something about Five-Star ratings that I hadn’t considered. He suggested that, in general,...
Against Medical Advice (AMA) discharges: A multipronged approach
By
Rebekah Bray
Apr 14, 2020
“I don’t care … I’m leaving here!” “I didn’t want to come to rehab to start with.” “The hospital/doctor told me I had to come here on my insurance company wouldn’t pay for my hospital...
Hitting the road for rural respect
By
Kimberly Marselas
Oct 17, 2023
This week takes me on a road trip, but I assure you there’s no VW bus with a dashboard full of party snacks.
Breaking down the therapy changes
By
Jean Wendland Porter
Nov 08, 2021
Proposed rules almost always become final rules. On November 2, 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (after threatening for four years) finalized the 15% payment reduction for outpatient...
Questions to ponder as herd immunity remains out of reach
By
Steven Fuller, Ph.D., DO
Feb 08, 2021
Experts estimate that herd immunity for COVID-19 will be reached when 75–85% of the U.S. population has received the COVID-19 vaccine. But long-term care — including nursing homes and assisted...
Veteran provider tires of ‘all sticks and no carrots’
By
James M. Berklan
May 30, 2019
The Liistro family has been involved in long-term care for longer than many readers of this blog have been alive. When you get to 50 years, you need to keep counting. They’ve been very good years for...
Back to business as unusual
By
Jean Wendland Porter
May 30, 2023
On May 11, 2023, the Public Health Emergency ended in the United States. Obviously, the whole world is celebrating the diminished COVID-19 numbers and the drop in COVID-related deaths. But we’ve been...