articleMar 15, 2018 | 8 min. read
A 10-Point Plan for Smart and Secure Electronic Communications with Patients
As emails and text messages have become ubiquitous, patient expectations around provider responsiveness have increased. Gone are the days when providers set aside time each afternoon to return calls; now, they can simply respond to their patients’ texts—but should they? Many physical therapists, regardless of their practice model or patient population, are surprised to learn that they may not be allowed to interact with patients in the manner they—or their patients—prefer. These same providers are typically even …
articleJan 17, 2018 | 15 min. read
Our Comfort Zone is Killing Us: Top Takeaways from the 2018 Graham Sessions
Most of the time, when I attend a conference—whether that be a physical therapy, healthcare technology, business, or leadership conference—I do so because I want to connect with, and learn from, others in my field. I want to take in and absorb their knowledge to supplement and expand the depth of my own expertise. And most of the conferences I attend—including the Graham Sessions —allow me to do just that. But, this year’s Graham Sessions were different. …
articleDec 11, 2017 | 9 min. read
Direct Access Laws by State (Idaho-Mississippi)
Yesterday, I broke down the what’s what of direct access laws by state, starting in Alabama and ending in Hawaii . Today, I’m continuing our guided tour of direct access law by kicking things off in Idaho and making our way down the list to Mississippi. (Don’t worry about gas money: we’ll do it all from the comfort of our homes or offices.) Just to reiterate, I’m not a legal or compliance expert, and all of the …
articleDec 8, 2017 | 10 min. read
Direct Access Laws by State (Alabama-Hawaii)
If you’re a physical therapist—and you’re licensed in the United States—then you’re practicing in a direct access state. That’s right: In all 50 states—as well as the US Virgin Islands and DC—direct access to at least a physical therapy evaluation is the law of the land. But, before you start seeing every patient who walks through your door without a physician referral, there are a few things you ought to know. The laws around direct access can …
articleNov 29, 2017 | 7 min. read
Will PTs, OTs, and SLPs Ever Have to Participate in MIPS?
Despite the fact that earlier this year CMS sent confusing letters to numerous rehab therapy clinics about their participation status in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) , physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists are still not eligible to officially participate in this quality reporting initiative. (You can double check your eligibility status by entering your NPI in the form here .) According to the APTA, though, “it's almost a given that PTs will be mandatorily …
articleNov 6, 2017 | 7 min. read
Founder Letter: The Con Ed Conundrum: What's Wrong with PT CEUs
Change is uncomfortable—however necessary it may be. And that uneasiness prevents many individuals and groups from seeking the kind of change that is vital to growth. This trend of paralysis is all too common in the physical therapy space, and in my mind, one glaring example of something desperately ripe for change is our lack of standardization—in terms of brand perception, patient experience, and clinical outcomes. And one way we can begin bridging that gap is to …
articleNov 5, 2017 | 5 min. read
How to Select the Right CEU Credits
So, you’ve finished school—and graduated with your degree in your rehab specialty. But, that doesn’t mean your learning days are over. Far from it. Whether it’s learning informally from your peers, brushing up on the latest research in academic journals, or attending formal lectures or clinicals, a therapist’s learning is never done. It can’t be. Otherwise, how would you stay current on this constantly changing industry? To make sure all licensed therapists are doing just that—staying current, …
articleOct 24, 2017 | 6 min. read
The Ins and Outs of ABNs
If the rules of Advance Beneficiary Notices of Noncoverage (ABNs) make you a bit confused, you’re definitely not alone. In an effort to shed some light on the ins and outs of ABNs and to highlight some recent changes to ABN requirements, Medicare created this set of FAQs clarifying their use. Here’s some info to help bring you up to speed: What is an Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN)? An ABN is a form practitioners use …
![Fact or Fiction? The Ultimate Medicare Myth [Quiz] Image](https://www.webpt.com/sites/default/files/images/resources/201710_blog_quizfactorfictiontheultimatemedicare.png)
articleOct 12, 2017 | 1 min. read
Fact or Fiction? The Ultimate Medicare Myth [Quiz]
You’ve heard the adage that fact can be stranger than fiction, right? After all, fiction has to make sense. Well, when it comes to Medicare rules, neither fact nor fiction makes much sense—at least not on first pass. But, all rehab therapists who work with Medicare patients must be able to tell the difference—if they want to remain compliant and get paid, that is. To help you put your Medicare knowledge to the test, we’ve put together …
articleOct 5, 2017 | 5 min. read
Maintenance, Medicare, and Medical Necessity: Unpacking the Jimmo Update
Hey, have you heard the good news? CMS has completed all required action items laid out in the Jimmo v. Sebelius settlement. If you’re scratching your head and wondering why that matters, here’s the rundown: a few years ago, a group of Medicare providers alleged that CMS contractors made determinations on claims for skilled care based on an inappropriate “Improvement Standard.” These providers took CMS to court, and the court determined that CMS needed to clarify and …
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