Here are 7 things we know up front about the PDPM changes to note:

1. PDPM will be Much Less Complex than RSC-1
   Under the RSC-1, there were actually over 130,000 different possible classifications. The PDPM reduces this by nearly 80%. RUGs will certainly be going away, but this may make the reimbursement calculations much less of headache for all parties involved.
2. Therapy is Detailed in the Discharge PPS Assessment
   A proposed modified section O requires PT, OT and ST details on all PPS discharge assessments for all Medicare A discharges (including those who DC from the facility). Therapy details include: start and end dates, total individual minutes provided, total concurrent minutes provided, total group minutes provided, and total days provided. This may be CMS’s way of safeguarding against underproviding and ensuring that patients receive what they need versus greatly reducing or eliminating necessary therapy services.
3. PT & OT are Separate Payment Categories
   Under the RSC-1 model, PT and OT were a combined payment and ST was considered separate. Noting the obvious concerns, we are happy that each discipline will receive their own payment classification. Additionally, the new model eliminates the cognitive impairment factor from the PT and OT classification.
4. Group & Concurrent Allow for a Total of 25%
    Under RSC-1, it was proposed to allow 25% group therapy and 25% concurrent therapy. Under the PDPM, there is a 25% group and concurrent therapy combined allotment.
5. Section GG is Even MORE Important
    Replacing section G with GG for the functional component is required for PT & OT payment classifications, as well as,nursing case-mix classification. 6 areas are scored and totaled for the functional measure: eating, oral hygiene, toileting, sit-to-lying, lying-to-sitting on bed, sit-to-stand, chair/bed-to-chair, toilet transfer, walk 50 feet with 2 turns, and walk 150 feet. HTS implemented mandatory use of the CARE Tool for all therapists in 2014 to ensure that our outcomes and benchmarks are congruent with CMS.
6. Reduced Burden of Multiple Assessments
    The reduction in required assessments as proposed with RCS-1 remains in the PDPM. Only 2 PPS assessments are required: 5-day assessment and D/C Assessment. PDPM adds an optional “Interim Payment Assessment” (IPA) which would allow for a resident to be re-classified if criteria are met.
7. Reduction in Reimbursement with Length of Stay
   PDPM calls for reduction in reimbursement correlating with length of stay for PT, OT, and Non-Therapy Ancillary (NTA) classifications. For PT and OT, days 1-20 would be reimbursed at the full rate. On day 21, a decreasing adjustment factor of 2% is applied every 7 days throughout the remainder of the stay. NTA days 1-3 are reimbursed at an increased adjustment factor of 3. Day 4 through the remainder of the stay, the reimbursement is adjusted to a factor of 1. These adjustments are based on Medicare’s research indicating PT, OT, and NTA costs decrease the longer the resident stays.

• Read the CMS Press Release
• Read the CMS Fact Sheet
• CMS provided tools, mapping, and specific provider-impact

We Are Optimistic and Committed

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Cassie Murray, OTR, QCP, IASSC CYB

Executive Director of Clinical Services

Healthcare Therapy Services, Inc.

cmurray@htstherapy.com | 800.486.4449 ext 210

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HTS is a leading contract therapy and wellness provider in the Midwest. As the trusted authority in post-acute rehabilitation, our clients look to us to not only maintain exceptional clinical collaboration and outcomes, but also to be a trusted partner in helping their organizations perform better. Since 1988, HTS has been an independently owned, trusted, ethical provider of therapy services for senior living communities, home health agencies and hospitals.

Therapist owned and managed, our mission is to provide the very best people and programs to move our clients and employees forward so that together we can provide a “hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11 to those we serve. We have grown from a single provider (who has been a longstanding client since 1988) to a company employing over 1,800 therapists in the Midwest and Southern states.