Respiratory Question for the Week of April 17, 2023

Question:

Are there any nuances to consider for 2023 respiratory therapy rehabilitation (RTR)?

Answer:

The goal of Respiratory Therapy Rehabilitation (RTR) is not to achieve a maximum exercise tolerance, but to ultimately transfer the responsibility of care from the clinic, hospital, or doctor to home care by the patient, the patient’s family, or the patient’s caregiver. Unless the patient will be able to continue an ongoing self-continuation program at home, there may be only a temporary benefit from the treatment. For 2023, consider the following points:

The endpoint of treatment is not when the patient achieves maximal exercise tolerance or stabilizes, but when the patient or his attendant is able to continue the RTR at home. Medicare does not cover maintenance care. Services for (RTR) must be medically reasonable and necessary and prescribed by a physician for the assessment, diagnostic evaluation, treatment, management, and monitoring of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of cardiopulmonary function. Note that RTR should only be provided in the Outpatient (OP) departments of acute hospitals or in a Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF).

This question was answered in our annual Respiratory Therapy Reimbursement & Compliance Update webcast. For more hot topics relating to respiratory services, please visit our store or call us at 1.800.252.1578, ext. 2.