5-12-08
CMS Releases Transmittal to Implement 90-Day Recertification Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released Transmittal 88/Change Request 5921 to implement the new regulations discussed in the Federal Register on November 27, 2007, concerning outpatient therapy services including personnel qualifications and the timing of recertification of plans of care.
CMS regulations at 42 C.F.R. § 424.24 permit a plan of care to cover therapy services for up to 90 days. Recertification will be required for therapy services provided beyond 90 days. AOTA strongly supported this positive change from the previous 30-day recertification requirement, which allows for variation among patients’ needs and puts decision making back in the hands of the treating physician, in coordination with the occupational therapy practitioner. This transmittal requires contractors to implement the regulations effective January 1, 2008.
Transmittal 88 is available on the
CMS Web site.
The related MLN Matters article (MM5921) is also available on the
CMS Web site.
