Well, January 1st is here already…and if you are well prepared 
for the new PT and OT Evaluation Codes that just went into effect, we applaud you! If you are not quite as prepared as you had hoped…or if you were holding out hoping someone else would do the preparing for you…you are in luck!
If you follow our Blog, you are well aware of the changes taking place this very minute with Medicare. For those who need a refresher of the background information before trying to embrace the new information – these will get you caught up to speed:
- For information on the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of the new PT and OT Evaluation and Re-evaluation CPT® Codes… refer to our prior article that reviews the essentials.
- For information on ALL the recent changes in impacting Medicare Part B in the Skilled Nursing Facility setting…refer to this article.
Now….the New CPT Evaluation Codes….
Take a peek at the PT and OT Decision Chart for CPT Evaluation Codes by Complexity
- All PT and OT Codes on 1 document – Reference sheet
- Use the information to help guide you in selecting the appropriate complexity based on requirements
The requirements for PT and OT are different. If you only need to have information for your specific discipline, the following Tools will be more beneficial…and can be used during documentation!
Take a peek at the PT Decision Chart – Evaluation Tool
- Decision chart contains all information needed for each code
- Print and use as documentation support for each patient
- Can use as a documentation scrap sheet during chart review and eval
Take a peek at the OT Decision Chart – Evaluation Tool
- Decision chart contains all information needed for each code
- Print and use as documentation support for each patient
- Can use as a documentation scrap sheet during chart review and eval
The ready to print versions can also be found in our Therapist Toolbox – Free to download for all Individual and Facility Members.
Submit any questions about the information to our Just Ask! Q&A Forum and we will help you sort through it!
In Your Corner,
Dolores
Do we charge more based on eval level of complexity?
For 2017, the Physician Fee Schedule has assigned the same value to all complexity levels for reimbursement. We can expect different rates at some point in the future, but for now CMS is using this as an opportunity for data collection to determine complexity levels billed by PT and OT.
Can you believe that these codes were thrown at us with NO instruction, just a blank box on the eval form for a shot-in-the-dark narrative? “Just put medium complexity for everyone,” is the advice I received. Of course you can believe it, that’s why you wrote the article! I’m printing the chart immediately and will send it to my director. Thank you!
Good luck!