A former patient, just discharged from the hospital today, requested to have me as his therapist. So, the hospital d/c planner who has a prescription for PT, calls me. Of course, I say that I'm an OT and she asks if I have PT at my company. I tell her "no" but that I can handle Mr. Wilkin's needs. She says in a sort of disbelieving voice: "You can do PT". After setting her straight, I tell her to call the Doctor and get the script changed to OT. She goes on to say that Medicare won't pay for OT to be 'stand alone' in home health. So, I explain that my company is not a HH agency and that I'm an outpatient provider doing in-home therapy. She replied: "I've never heard of that". Finally, she said that she'd call the doctor.
Well, a few minutes later the d/c planner calls back saying that she had talked with the patient and that they agreed that a PT would be sent to the house and that if they thought it appropriate, OT would be ordered. Well, by now, I'm about ready to come unglued!! I said to her something like, "how does this relate to me and what about what the patient wants". The planner says that this is what the patient agreed to and added that the patient was under the assumption that I was a PT. I told the planner that this is one of the banes of being an OT and that I face the same battle of being called a PT day after day. That was about it. I called the patient explained the whole situation and that no one could tell them what type of therapy or from who to get it from. The patient's wife said she would call the doctor and get it straightened out!! I'm tell you what, other peoples' concept of our profession stink!!! At least, in my experience. Ron P.S. For those of you inclined to point out my typos (and you know who you are) , please forgive any errors. <LOL> -- Unsubscribe? [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] Help? [EMAIL PROTECTED]
