Being an IC means we see YOU as a Business!

LifeCare has always hired Independent Contract therapists for several reasons. One, we feel that we are sharing in the referral and entrusting the therapists to represent LifeCare with good patient care. Another is allowing the therapists to be your own business, means you are in control. You get to pick your volume, your area, and your schedule.

We wanted to review some tips for you to remember as you work as an Independent Contractor Therapist

1) Since you are a business, when you accept an assignment, you are taking that patient on as your responsibility - (InsightGo on your phone is a good way to easily look up phone/address info ). This means making calls, follow up calls and establishing a relationship- entering in notes and attempts at contact in EMR. When you take a patient on that is your client and you see that patient through until Discharge. It is your responsibility to ensure that the case is taken care of from start to finish. When you contact a patient you should continue to make contact every day until you can reach- call in AM, try PM, try texting a caregiver or family member. After 1 week if not reached and contact documented in chart- then inform office by task that the patient is unable to be contacted.

As a supervisor, that mans constantly keeping tabs on the patient to ensure the case is moving along or discharged when appropriate. Speaking with your assistants about the case and reviewing notes / progress prior to sup visits every three weeks. Closing the case with a DC ensures you are now closing that chart. If a patient is a No Admit/Eval only- notify your assistant so they are aware and can open up for a new patient.

As an Assistant- you should be checking regularly with status of new evaluations. Check in EMR and if you do not see- contact the supervisor assigned to the case. Keep tabs on your assignments. When Evaluation completed, review and then call patient for scheduling set appointments.

PTs and PTAs, OT and OTA's should always be in contact via Hucu Channels or phone calls to discuss patient care and relay important information.

2) You should be maximizing your deductions, mileage, any supplies, and even printer ink if you print your treatment logs

3) Make your schedule and area work for you- the bigger your area the more volume but make that work for you! Need Advice we are here to help

4) You should always keep an extra patient on your caseload- someone will cancel or be out on vacation/sick- keeping an extra patient is a good buffer for the week and you wont be stressed when someone cancels.

Questions on being an IC- take the Free CEU course in ITA or just send a message to the LifeCare Admin team and we are here to help.

Let's share in the success of business and all patients.