IRF FINAL RULE RELEASED

FY2021 Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Prospective Payment System Final Rule was released in August.  While there were no specific changes that directly impact Recreational Therapists, there a few issues to be aware of:

• CMS did not finalize allowing non-physician providers (like physician assistants and nurse practitioners) to perform required documentation for coverage. This must still be done by the physiatrist. Non-physician providers are permitted to conduct one of the three required face-to-face visits with patient each week.
• CMS will no longer require a post-admission physician evaluation for discharges starting October 1, 2020.
• CMS is working on codifying specific language relate to pre-admission screening, and is removing three elements from that screening.
• The Final Rule provided an overall update of 2.8 percent for FY2021 relative to 2020 payments

The rules go into effect around October 4, 2020.  CMS acknowledged receipt of ATRA’s comments regarding the inclusion of Recreational Therapy within the “three hour rule” but issued no response.