|
CAN THERAPY SERVICES BE DENIED WHEN MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT HAS
EXPIRED?
No!
Appropriate therapy should be provided regardless of the form
of payment.
Federal
law requires that the resident receives services necessary "to
attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and
psychosocial well-being." Sec.
483.25 of Title 42 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
A
skilled nursing facility "must establish and maintain identical
policies and practices regarding transfer, discharge, and the
provision of services required under the State (Medicaid) plan for all
individuals regardless of source of payment."
Sec. 483.12(c)(l) of Title 42 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (emphasis added).
Therapy,
in such instances, must be provided under a Medicaid per diem rate.
The Surveyors' Guidelines to Sec. 483.45(a) of Title 42 of the
Code of Federal Regulations provide that therapy services must be
provided "even when the services are not specifically
enumerated in the State (Medicaid) plan." (Emphasis Added).
|
