LifeCare Therapy is committed to full compliance with all regulatory requirements. Understand that progress visits and supervision of a case are separated, but related requirements warrant definition. Supervision applies not only to the patient but also directly to the assistant rendering care. In contrast, a Progress Report is a document required by Medicare to assess patient progress and document the medical necessity for continued therapy. 

A Progress/Supervisory Visit is for the patient and must be done on/before every 10th therapy session.

Supervision of a case relates to when an assistant (PTA/COTA) is providing care. Medicare requires that when PT/OT services are provided in an off-site (home) location, the PT/OT Supervisor see the patient at least every 30 days.

To meet these two requirements, LifeCare Therapy requests that a progress visit be scheduled every 3 weeks for a patient. This allows for adequate supervision of both assistant and patient.  If not on the schedule, assistants must notify the supervisor at least 1 week in advance.

All therapists must monitor POC frequency and # of visits to ensure that 8 "therapy only" visits are scheduled between supervisory visits.  

A Supervisory Visit does not need to replace an assistant's therapy visit, but can be an "additional visit" that week.