Regulatory Resources

The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) 2020 Final rule resulted in many changes impacting ‘outpatient’ therapy. Beginning 1/1/2020, a modifier must be applied to all billing claims (outpatient settings) where more than 10% of the service is provided by an assistant (PTA or COTA). This is so that Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) can collect data on the volume of services provided by PTAs and COTA’s in preparation for the 15% reduction in payment scheduled to occur in 2022. (Casamba will automatically apply this modifier to claims). If this law remains in place all services provided by PTA’s and COTA’s will be paid at 85% of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rate vs the 100% paid today beginning in 2022.

Which type of DOCUMENTER are you?

In the therapy world, it is not easy to manage both providing effective treatment and completing our best documentation. How can we balance the scales to reflect that we can be just as effective documenters as we are clinicians?

First, we need to be honest with ourselves and determine what type of individual documenters we are, as this will help us articulate how we best can change. No matter which habits you have formed, there are ways to elevate your documentation into a clearer picture. Challenge yourself to read each of the unique documenter characteristics below and conclude which one(s) you can relate with the most! Use the associated tips as a starting point to improve and re-focus your documentation.