Bloom's Taxonomy/Learning Objectives

posted: Mar/05/2010

Click Here for additional details: Bloom's Taxonomy/Learning Objectives

Bloom Link

CMS Issues Guidance on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and KX Modifier

posted: Mar/04/2010

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) offered the following guidance on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and use of the therapy cap exceptions process (KX Modifier) yesterday afternoon:
 
Physician Fee Schedule
On March 3, 2010, President Obama signed into law the “Temporary Extension Act of 2010.”  Among other things, this law extends through March 31, 2010, the zero percent update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule that was in effect for claims with dates of service January 1, 2010, through February 28, 2010.  Consequently, effective immediately, claims with dates of service March 1 and later which were being held by Medicare contractors will be released for processing and payment.  Please keep in mind that the statutory payment floors still apply and, therefore, clean electronic claims cannot be paid before 14 calendar days after the date they are received by Medicare contractors (29 calendar days for clean paper claims).
 
Therapy Cap Exceptions Process (KX Modifier)
The Temporary Extension Act of 2010, enacted on March 2, 2010, extends the therapy cap exceptions process through March 31, 2010, retroactive to January 1, 2010. Outpatient therapy service providers may now submit claims with the KX modifier, when an exception is appropriate, for services furnished on or after January 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010.
 
The therapy caps are determined on a calendar year basis, so all patients began a new cap on January 1, 2010.  For physical therapy and speech language pathology services combined, the limit on incurred expenses is $1,860.  For occupational therapy services, the limit is $1,860. Deductible and coinsurance amounts applied to therapy services count toward the amount accrued before a cap is reached.
 
Some therapy providers have been holding claims for services furnished on or after January 1, 2010, for patients who exceeded the cap but qualified for an exception under previous law.  These providers may submit those claims to Medicare effective immediately.   Therapy providers, who submitted claims which were denied, for services furnished on or after January 1, 2010, for patients who exceeded the cap but whose services now qualify for an exception, should contact their Medicare contractor to request that their claim be adjusted to add the KX modifier and ensure the appropriate exception applies.
 
A small number of therapy providers continued to submit claims with the KX modifier for services furnished on or after January 1, 2010, even though the exceptions process had expired on December 31, 2009. Medicare contractors held these claims and will now begin to release them for processing.  These providers do not need to take any action on the claims that were held.
 
Providers who charged beneficiaries for services that exceeded caps, which are now payable under the exception process, should refund the beneficiary’s cost, less the appropriate amount of deductible and co-insurance.  Affected claims should be either submitted or, if already submitted, the provider should contact their contractor for an adjustment.   --Reported by American Physical Therapy Association 3/4/10 Information Bulletin

For more info

Effective Advocacy for Physical Therapy Professionals - Saturday, March 20, 2010

posted: Mar/04/2010

A seminar that enhances the value of physical therapist and physical therapist assistant advocacy efforts on behalf of the profession, from your local community to the steps of the Capitol.

DATE: Saturday, March 20, 2010
TIME: 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
LOCATION:  APTAnj Office, 1100 U.S. Hwy. 130, Suite 3, Robbinsville, NJ 08691 (Mercer County)

Earn 2 pre-approved CE credits. NJSBPTE Continuing Education credit category: Physical therapy practice management, administration and professional issues.

Learn the value and power of being an ADVOCATE for the physical therapy profession. Meet & greet a NJ LEGISLATOR at the APTAnj Office. Plus, take a FIELD TRIP to the historic New Jersey State House in Trenton for a guided tour that brings your high school civics class to life!

APTAnj Members-- Get more bang for your dues buck!
REGISTRATION FEE:  APTAnj Members – FREE
All other NJ Licensed PT or PTA - $25 per person

ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST PRE-REGISTER BY MARCH 13.

 

Registration Form

Highmark Medicare Offers Free Webinars for Part B Therapy Services in March

posted: Feb/01/2010

Highmark Medicare will provide a FREE WEBINARS for Part B providers on “Therapy Services”.  This program is scheduled for 2 dates (same content) to begin at 2:00 PM--

• Monday, March 8, 2010
• Wednesday, March 31, 2010.

You must PRE-REGISTER with Highmark to participate in the webinars. For more details click on link below.

ATTENTION:  CERT (Highmark Medicare’s certified error rate testing program) notes the following top 3 errors in regards to billing and documentation:

• Incorrect codes used for billing
  

• Lacking Medical Necessity
  

• Documentation insufficient
  

These are not therapy specific, but they are therapy issues in addition to other health care providers’ issues.

Reported by Matthew Mesibov, PT, GCS - Southern District Director at Large.

Highmark Medicare Part B Webinar Info - click here

AGS/BGS Release Updated Guidelines to Prevent Falls Among Older Adults

posted: Jan/28/2010

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) and the British Geriatrics Society (BGS) released new guidelines on 1/19/10 aimed at preventing serious and potentially deadly falls among older adults.

The online guidelines are now available at http://www.americangeriatrics.org/education/cp_index.shtml. They recommend a multi-factorial fall risk assessment for all older adults who have had a fall, who have been identified as having gait and balance problems, or who report difficulties with gait or balance. The guidelines include a clinical algorithm that outlines, step-by-step, recommended evaluations and interventions, and emphasize the key role of evidence-based strength and balance training in effective multi-factorial interventions. The guidelines reaffirm the central role of evidence-based strength and balance training in effective multi-factorial interventions.

 

Each step in the guidelines algorithm includes links to both general and specific recommendations. Accompanying annotations offer brief discussions of the research supporting each recommendation, evaluate this research employing a U.S. Preventative Services Task Force rating system, and grade the strength of the recommendations. In cases where data were insufficient or existing literature ambiguous or conflicting, recommends are based on the consensus of the panel following extensive discussion.

 

The new guidelines update an earlier set that the AGS, BGS, and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons published in 2001. The updated guidelines evaluate and consider new evidence and analyses that have become available over the last nine years. They differ from the 2001 guidelines in several ways. Some of the falls "risk factors" listed in the 2001 version -- including "depression" -- don't appear on the 2010 list. The new list, however, includes additional risk factors, including "neurological impairments other than dementia" not included in the 2001 guideline. There are changes in recommended interventions as well. If an older adult is found at risk of falling, the new guidelines call, among other things, for both an assessment of his or her home by a healthcare professional, and interventions to eliminate falls risk factors found in the home and prevent falls. The earlier guidelines called for the assessment but didn't explicitly recommend the intervention.

 

Organizations endorsing the guideline include the American College of Emergency Physicians, the American Medical Association, the American Occupational Therapy Association, and the American Physical Therapy Association.

 

ABOUT THE AGS
Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (www.americangeriatrics.org) is a non-profit organization of more than 6,400 healthcare professionals whose shared mission is to improve the health, independence and quality of life of older people. Our vision for the future is that all older adults will have access to quality healthcare that meets their unique needs. To achieve this, the Society focuses on: advancing eldercare research; enhancing clinical practice in eldercare; raising public awareness of the healthcare needs of older people; and advocating for public policy that ensures older adults access to quality, appropriate, cost-effective care. The Society is a pivotal force in shaping practices, policies and perspectives in the field.

ABOUT THE BGS
The British Geriatrics Society (BGS) was founded in 1947 and is a membership association of doctors, nurses, therapists, scientists and others with a particular interest in the care of the frail older person and in promoting better health in old age. Visit: www.bgs.org.uk

 

PIP Information for Health Care Providers

posted: Jan/07/2010

Click here for PIP Information for Health Care Providers

2009-2010 Educational Series - CALL FOR SPEAKERS

posted: Aug/24/2009

American Physical Therapy Association of New Jersey

2009-2010 Educational Series - CALL FOR SPEAKERS

 

The American Physical Therapy Association of New Jersey (APTAnj) Programming Committee is soliciting proposals for educational programs for our 2009-2010 Educational Series held at the APTAnj executive office in Robbinsville. Programming will also be considered for our Chapter Business Meetings and Annual Conferences.

 

If you or someone you know has information to share relating to the practice of physical therapy, or expertise in any area of interest to physical therapists and/or physical therapist assistants, please submit a proposal for consideration for the 2009-2010 Educational Series.

 

Decisions on acceptance of proposals for 2009-2010 are on going. All material for APTAnj-sponsored educational programs that are to award credits for Continuing Professional Education must be reviewed and approved by the APTAnj Programming Committee. Final approval for course material and speakers needs to occur a minimum of 6 – 12 months prior to the presentation date in order to allow adequate time to promote each program. A member of the Programming Committee will contact you if your proposal will be considered. Proposals are currently reviewed on an ongoing basis and are kept on file for two years.

Download Full PDF