I am no longer 100% up to date on Medicare regs, but I'm pretty certain that a therapist eval is NOT required. I believe it is true that there must not be any monetary exchange between the therapist and the DME. Will someone cite a CMS reference concerning the therapist requirement for an eval?
Thanks, Ron ----- Original Message ----- From: Chris Smith <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, February 05, 2007 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] ethical wheelchair question CS> Absolutely not! The DME's have to have a therapist do the CS> eval and write the med necessity letter. If you don't cooperate CS> they won't be able to make their sale. If you are in a snf you CS> need to explain to the administrator why is this unethical and the CS> snf needs to protect their residents against these scum bag CS> vendors by not allowing them into the facility. However if the pts CS> are in independent living or their own homes then you can't do as CS> much to prevent this. This is why medicare now requires a CS> therapist not employed by the vendor to do the eval. I would talk CS> to the reputable vendors about the problem they want it stopped, CS> too. Often they will work to educate health care managers. Good CS> luck. Chris CS> _______________________________________________ CS> Join Excite! - http://www.excite.com CS> The most personalized portal on the Web! -- 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 **************************************************************************************
