- THCA

Volume XXXI, Number 6
June 2016

Provider Letter No. 16-17 — Supporting Physician Documentation

NEW Provider letter serves as a reminder of the rules that require documentation related to physician services. If you do not maintain documentation required, DADS may penalize you.

Outline in the provider letter is the following guidance for Nursing Facilities:

In accordance with Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, Part I, Chapter 19 (40 TAC), §19.1202, Physician Visits, a physician must:

review orders relating to a resident’s total program of care, including medications and treatments, according to the visit schedule required by 40 TAC §19.1203(2), Frequency of Physician Visits (see below); revise the orders, if necessary; and sign the orders;

write, sign, and date progress notes at each visit;

sign and date all orders written by the physician; and

provide documentation in the clinical record as specified in 40 TAC §19.1911 and 40 TAC§19.1912 (relating to Contents of the Clinical Record and Additional Clinical Record Service Requirements).

In accordance with 40 TAC §19.1203(2) Frequency of Physician Visits, a resident of a Medicaid-certified nursing facility or a Medicare skilled nursing facility must be seen by a physician at least once every 30 days for the first 90 days after admission, and at least once every 60 days thereafter. In a Medicare skilled nursing facility, a physician may delegate this requirement to certain health care providers in accordance with §19.1203(3) and §19.1205. Section 19.1203 also provides that physician visit is considered timely if it occurs not later than ten days after the visit is required.

To view the Provider letter click HERE.

Provider Letter No. 16-17 — Supporting Physician Documentation

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If you have any questions about the THCA Commitment to Care Initiative or would like to share your facilities successes please contact Gloria Bean-Williams by email or call (512) 458-1257.