Is there a minimum amount of time a treatment must be provided for an untimed code like unattended stim?
Answer
No. There is not. Those are untimed. What would be looked at is the professional standard. The professional standard or the provider’s manual that comes with that particular device typically has recommended parameters; time of which is one. If you are staying within the norms of your industry, then that is fine. If you place an electrical stimulation unit on a patient for five minutes for no reason and if I saw that a lot, I would be very concerned. I would probably consider it billable if you had a good reason, which should be documented. In most situations, when you would do such a small amount of time, the efficacy of that particular modality would most likely not be optimal.
Mary R. Daulong, PT, CHC, CHP
Mary Daulong, PT, CHC, CHP is a physical therapist and is also certified in Healthcare Compliance by the Health Care Compliance Certification Board and the HIPAA Academy. Her consulting company, Business & Clinical Management Services, Inc. was established in 1985 and has been, for the past dozen years, 100% dedicated to working with rehab professionals in the areas of federal and state compliance, provider enrollment, practice and business office audits/surveys, payment policy: billing, coding, documentation and compliance policy and procedure manual production.
Mary is chair of the TPTA’s Payment Policy Committee, is a member of the Private Practice Payment Policy Committee and is the representative for PT & OT for Jurisdiction JH. She is also on Novitas Solutions’ Provider Outreach Education Advisory Board and has been recently served on Novitas Solutions’ JH Transition Consulting Team.
Mary has been a featured speaker at National, State and Section Annual Conferences and is one of the contributing authors to “Compliance Corner” for the Private Practice Section’s Impact Magazine.
Related Courses
1https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/mindfulness-beyond-guided-meditation-3902Mindfulness: Beyond Guided MeditationMindfulness can be a really powerful cognitive-behavioral tool and has many relevant applications when treating patients with pain, especially chronic pain. Many courses for rehabilitation professionals teach guided meditation, which is an amazing tool. However, mindfulness has many other applications and opportunities for use in the treatment of patients with pain. This session discusses the history and science behind mindfulness, as well as provides a variety of practical mindfulness tools for the everyday practitioner. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
Mindfulness can be a really powerful cognitive-behavioral tool and has many relevant applications when treating patients with pain, especially chronic pain. Many courses for rehabilitation professionals teach guided meditation, which is an amazing tool. However, mindfulness has many other applications and opportunities for use in the treatment of patients with pain. This session discusses the history and science behind mindfulness, as well as provides a variety of practical mindfulness tools for the everyday practitioner. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
2https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/diabetes-in-adults-current-guidelines-3958Diabetes in Adults: Current Guidelines and EvidenceThis course gives us an overview of diabetes in adults, discusses current perspectives and guidelines, and addresses its significance in PT practice. It also looks at some of the current literature that addresses the evidence for risk factors and interventions and to see how they may apply to our practices. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.auditory, textual, visual
This course gives us an overview of diabetes in adults, discusses current perspectives and guidelines, and addresses its significance in PT practice. It also looks at some of the current literature that addresses the evidence for risk factors and interventions and to see how they may apply to our practices. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT/PTA.
3https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/maximizing-patient-engagement-through-science-4595Maximizing Patient Engagement Through the Science of Behavioral EconomicsLearn the evidence and the application of mastering your soft skills to optimize the patient experience and patient engagement. Be ready to improve in every aspect of patient care from the interview, diagnosis, education, intervention, and home exercise prescription.auditory, textual, visual
Learn the evidence and the application of mastering your soft skills to optimize the patient experience and patient engagement. Be ready to improve in every aspect of patient care from the interview, diagnosis, education, intervention, and home exercise prescription.
4https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/applications-in-fear-most-pervasive-4596Applications in Fear: The Most Pervasive Complication That You Can Treat and PreventWe all have fear, it is pervasive. In this course, we learn about how to recognize, treat, and prevent the secondary complications of fear – with an evidence-based approach.auditory, textual, visual
We all have fear, it is pervasive. In this course, we learn about how to recognize, treat, and prevent the secondary complications of fear – with an evidence-based approach.
5https://www.physicaltherapy.com/pt-ceus/course/the-science-of-fall-prevention-2825The Science of Fall PreventionWhat is the difference between screening and testing? What is the science of imbalance? What are the differences between unsteadiness, imbalance, dizziness, lightheadedness, and vertigo? How do I document to prove my worth, my role, or this patient’s potential? What is the evidence for helping someone improve balance? What is the best method to select the most sensitive and responsive balance test for each patient? What psychological influences could be involved with this person? The answers to these questions and more are in this seminar intended for advanced dizziness management- differential diagnostics and treatment. Expect practical techniques, readily applied to the clinic, incorporating current evidence and revealing future advances in balance and dizziness rehabilitation. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA. Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 1 hour of general and 1 hour of Direct Access CE credit.auditory, textual, visual
What is the difference between screening and testing? What is the science of imbalance? What are the differences between unsteadiness, imbalance, dizziness, lightheadedness, and vertigo? How do I document to prove my worth, my role, or this patient’s potential? What is the evidence for helping someone improve balance? What is the best method to select the most sensitive and responsive balance test for each patient? What psychological influences could be involved with this person? The answers to these questions and more are in this seminar intended for advanced dizziness management- differential diagnostics and treatment. Expect practical techniques, readily applied to the clinic, incorporating current evidence and revealing future advances in balance and dizziness rehabilitation. This course is directly related to the practice of physical therapy and is therefore appropriate for the PT and PTA.
Editor's Note: Regarding Pennsylvania credits, this course is approved by the PA State Board of Physical Therapy for 1 hour of general and 1 hour of Direct Access CE credit.
