Every once and a while, I share unusual/disappointing/exciting
experiences of being an OT, so here goes:
1. An ALF nursing assistant recently told a friend about my company and
its services (i.e OT). I was telling the assistant that I frequently
tell people that I do rehab rather than trying to explain about OT and
its differences from PT. The worker kind of grinned and said some thing
like: "I told my friend you are an OT but that you could do both"!
2. I recently received a script for "PT to Eval and Treat" a patient.
Obviously, I can't do that so I visited the doctor and asked them to
change the script to "OT ...". This was done in 5 seconds but the funny
[sad] part is that the NURSE asked: "What is OT and what exactly is the
difference between OT and PT"
3. Recently I sent a letter to my Representative concerning the $1500.00
outpatient cap. The letter was from AOTA and included numerous
references to occupational therapy. I received the following response:
> Dear Mr. Carson:
>
> Thank you for contacting me regarding the $1,500 cap on physical
> therapy and speech language pathology reimbursements under Medicare.
>
> Legislation passed in 1999 states that a cap will be placed on
> Medicare reimbursements for physical therapy and speech language pathology
> at $1,500
Not one word about "occupational therapy"
4. A PT called my office asking if I would help him with a client
needing to be fitted for an upper extremity {UE} brace. He repeatedly
stated that the UE was OT's area of expertise. Why do PT's think that
the UE is OT's expertise?
5. Yesterday, I received a call from a person looking for help in
finding a job. This was a sad call because the women suffered with
terrible anxiety and could not hold down a job. It was exciting because
I think vocational therapy is a great role for OT. Unfortunately, the
caller was too far from my office.
6. Golden Rule's(a United Health company) health insurance certificate
states:
"Covered expenses will not include... occupational therapy, except as
expressly provided for by the policy". The policy mentions OT in a
couple of places:
A. As part of rehabilitation therapy.
B. "For medically necessary [OT], up to $500, following a covered
treatment for traumatic hand injuries"
C. As part of home health
Speech therapy is also specifically excluded, but not our "more popular
friends" <grin>
7. A PT referred a client to me for UE therapy. The client's insurance
company ONLY covered OT if it were part of rehab or home health. There
was NO coverage for out-patient occupational therapy. Of course, this
limitation did not apply to our "more popular friends"!
And the list goes on, but it's time for fishing!!! (and yes it is 4:30
in the morning)
Ron
--
Unsubscribe?
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Change options?
www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com
Archive?
www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
Help?
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
