The recent updates to Medicare’s Physician Fee Schedule have introduced two significant changes that will benefit physical therapists: reducing administrative burdens and simplifying workflows. These changes reflect Medicare’s responsiveness to the needs of healthcare professionals and their focus on providing efficient patient care. Here’s a closer look at what these updates mean for physical therapists.
1. Transition from Direct Supervision to General Supervision for Therapy Assistants
Under Medicare Part B, the supervision requirement for therapy assistants will change from “Direct Supervision” to “General Supervision.” Previously, physical therapy assistants had to be supervised directly by a physical therapist, meaning the therapist needed to be physically present during patient treatments. With the new rule, this requirement will shift to general supervision, allowing physical therapists to be available as needed rather than being physically present at all times.
This change is particularly beneficial for clinics with multiple therapy assistants and larger practices where physical therapists manage multiple patients. It enhances the flexibility of scheduling, empowering therapy assistants to deliver treatment with less constraint, provided they have access to consultation from the supervising therapist when necessary. For physical therapy practices, this new rule not only enhances patient access to timely care but also optimizes staff efficiency and productivity.
2. Simplified Requirements for Therapy Plans of Care (POC)
Previously, the Therapy Plan of Care (POC) process was time-consuming and bureaucratic. Physical therapists had to submit their POCs to the referring physician for a signature, which was required within 30 days. If the physician’s signature was delayed, the burden fell on the therapist to follow up, and in cases where signatures were missing, therapists risked reimbursement delays or disruptions in patient care.
The updated rule removes this requirement for obtaining the physician’s signature within the 30-day period. Now, therapists simply need to submit the POC to the referring physician within 30 days of the initial evaluation. This eliminates the need for chasing down signatures, allowing therapists to focus more on patient care without the risk of denied payments due to administrative delays. This change will streamline administrative processes and enable therapists to allocate more time to patient-centered care, reducing stress related to compliance.
In summary, these updates reflect a shift towards a more flexible, patient-centered approach in physical therapy. The reduction in supervision and administrative requirements will enhance clinic efficiency, increase access to care, and provide physical therapists and their assistants with a greater capacity to deliver quality services to Medicare patients. By alleviating the administrative workload, these changes promise to support both practitioners and patients in achieving better health outcomes.