Ron, OPTIMAL was created by APTA. This page has more info about OPTIMAL http://www.apta.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Research&TEMPLATE=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=33241
See this update on AOTA's webpage about Transmittal 63: http://www.aota.org/nonmembers/area1/links/link354.asp Transmittal 63 requires practitioners to include in their documentation of evaluations either the results of a specified performance measure tool or an explanation of certain factors. Specifically, the practitioner may report the results of one of the following measurement tools: the National Outcomes Measurement System (NOMS) by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association; the Patient Inquiry* by Focus on Therapeutic Outcomes, Inc. (FOTO); the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC); or the Outpatient Physical Therapy Improvement in Movement Assessment Log (OPTIMAL) by Cedaron, through the American Physical Therapy Association. If the practitioner chooses to not record the results of one of those four instruments, then the documentation must contain information * supporting illness severity or complexity, * supporting medical care prior to the current episode, * required to indicate beneficiary health related to quality of life, * required to indicate beneficiary social support, and *required to indicate objective measurable beneficiary physical functioning. Transmittal 63 also contains additional policy clarifications and reiterates CMS' policies concerning billing for group outpatient therapy and for the services of therapy students in outpatient settings. AOTA will be working with CMS to obtain clarification on aspects of Transmittals 1145 and 63. The development of an outcomes data measurement system focused on occupational therapy is an AOTA priority. In the interim, until such system can be implemented, AOTA is working internally and with CMS to develop mechanisms for occupational therapists to meet CMS' new documentation requirements. -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] ************************************************************************************** Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. www.otdegree.com/otn **************************************************************************************
