Group Charge question

RehabEdge Physical Therapy Forum

Forums Register Login Forgot Login? My Profile
My Subscription My Forums Photo Gallery Member List
Search Calendars FAQ Ticket List Log Out

Group Charge question

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [RehabEdge Forum] >> Open Forum >> Group Charge question

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Group Charge question - January 23, 2008 2:47:42 PM

ysumpt2006

Posts: 113
Joined: March 31, 2005
From: Youngstown, Ohio
Status: offline

If patient A comes in at 10 and is seen for 30 minutes, then B comes in at 10:30, and patient A leaves at 10:45 (15 minutes of simultaneous treatment) and B at 11:15 how would the group charge be applied?
I thought:
Patient A--2 Therex, 1 Group
Patient B--1 Group, 2 Therex

That's how I've done it at clinicals--is this wrong?

Thanks
Ken

Post #: 1

RE: Group Charge question - January 23, 2008 4:10:21 PM

SJBird55

Posts: 2293
Joined: May 10, 2004
From: Michigan
Status: offline

Is it really simultaneous treatment?

If there is only one provider, say a physical therapist that is treating both of those patients. When patient B arrives and begins, I would actually guess that there is a chunk of time assessing Patient B's current status and a high focus on Patient B only while Patient A is completing whatever task provided to him/her at the arrival of Patient B. The amount of time the physical therapist is assessing, questioning and conversing with Patient B truly determines whether a group situation is occurring.

Group is used when 2 or more patients are being simultaneously supervised. If the therapist isn't paying attention to Patient A while Patient B is being assessed, then technically Patient A is not being provided with any skilled supervision and therefore that chunk of time is not billable.

If patient B walks in and immediately begins a warm up exercise or something and the physical therapist is truly supervising 2 patients simultaneously and able to provide feedback to both patients equally, then a true group situation is occurring and claims would be submitted as you suggest above.

The simple fact that two patients are in the clinic at the same time for the same provider is not enough information in order to appropriately respond to your question.

(in reply to ysumpt2006)

Post #: 2