Guest guest Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 I think it depends on the intent of the activity. But I think Functional Activity or neuro-motor re-ed is better Jeff Wheeler PT, GCS Tukwila, WA Wii For outpatient facilities that are using the Wii, how would this be coded? Would this fall in Therapeutic Exercises? Lee O. Administrative Assistant Terry Physical Therapy --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 I think we tread dangerous ground here... A fundamental reimbursement rule (from our friends at CMS) is that therapists are paid for what they do, not for what their patients do. If a patient is playing (or working) with a Wii, and the therapist is not working with that patient at the time--i.e. using his or her professional skills ( " skilled care " ) to achieve a particular functional goal--then this is not PT, and not reimbursable. If those criteria ARE being met, then the coding should be obvious, e.g., ther ex for strengthening, or neuromotor re-education for balance. Dave Milano, PT, Director of Rehab Services Laurel Health System Wii For outpatient facilities that are using the Wii, how would this be coded? Would this fall in Therapeutic Exercises? Lee O. Administrative Assistant Terry Physical Therapy --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 I am in 100% agreement with Dave on this. To quote the other treating PT in my clinic: " This is therapy, not playtime. " Each of the treatments that we perform with the Wii have a particular functional goal in mind and is perofrmed under the direct supervision of a licenced therapist...at least in our clinic. That therapist monitors ROM, trunk stability, balance, etc. during each intervention. The patient should not be left to their own devices as an injury could occur or the specific facilitation we are going for will not be achieved. The Wii is a wonderful treatment tool that has afforded many of our patients a chance to improve function and confidence in their activities. Case in point: Elderly female patient s/p R RTC repair (medium tear) with PMHx of cervical and lumbar stenosis, B Total hip replacements, R total knee replacement, and post polio. She, when appropriate, was started on the Wii and increased shoulder flexion and abduxtion AROM 15+ degrees from the start of Wii treatment to to the end of treatment in one visit because of PT monitoring and training...not to mention she had a great time boxing. With proper attention, the Wii is a tool not a baby sitter. Lane Blondheim, PT, MT Active Health and Rehab Montgomery, AL 334/279-5757 > > I think we tread dangerous ground here... > > A fundamental reimbursement rule (from our friends at CMS) is that therapists are paid for what they do, not for what their patients do. If a patient is playing (or working) with a Wii, and the therapist is not working with that patient at the time--i.e. using his or her professional skills ( " skilled care " ) to achieve a particular functional goal--then this is not PT, and not reimbursable. If those criteria ARE being met, then the coding should be obvious, e.g., ther ex for strengthening, or neuromotor re-education for balance. > > > Dave Milano, PT, Director of Rehab Services > Laurel Health System > > > Wii > > > > For outpatient facilities that are using the Wii, how would this be coded? > Would this fall in Therapeutic Exercises? > > > > Lee O. > Administrative Assistant > Terry Physical Therapy > > --------------------------------- > Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2008 Report Share Posted January 13, 2008 Great point. I think the same logic applies to any device we use in therapy. A few months ago, I observed a family member receiving therapy(?), for post op back surgery. They had her in a group that was passing a ball around with an aide leading the group. Being my typical self, I intervened in the treatment and showed her how she needed to sit forward and use trunk (instead of just leaning back in chair) and kicking a ball around from person to person. I believe my point is the same as Dave’s, devices are tools that require our unique skills to change into skilled therapy. I love to improvise with tools and devices; just remember that billing codes and treatment revolve around the therapist skills and treatment plan. Steve Passmore PT CEO Healthy Recruiting Tools HYPERLINK " mailto:spass@... " spass@... HYPERLINK " http://www.healthyrecruiting.com/ " www.HealthyRecruiting.com " What we did for you yesterday is history.... What can we do for you today " From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of Milano, Dave Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 1:34 PM To: PTManager Subject: RE: Wii I think we tread dangerous ground here... A fundamental reimbursement rule (from our friends at CMS) is that therapists are paid for what they do, not for what their patients do. If a patient is playing (or working) with a Wii, and the therapist is not working with that patient at the time--i.e. using his or her professional skills ( " skilled care " ) to achieve a particular functional goal--then this is not PT, and not reimbursable. If those criteria ARE being met, then the coding should be obvious, e.g., ther ex for strengthening, or neuromotor re-education for balance. Dave Milano, PT, Director of Rehab Services Laurel Health System Wii For outpatient facilities that are using the Wii, how would this be coded? Would this fall in Therapeutic Exercises? Lee O. Administrative Assistant Terry Physical Therapy --------------------------------- Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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