State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

The Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs (BPOA) received reports that a person pretending to be from the State Board of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (Board) is calling licensees about the status of their license. The scammer asks for credit card information. Persons who give their credit card information may not only lose their money, but also can become a victim of identity theft.

Licensees are urged to avoid becoming a victim of credit card fraud or identity theft:

• BPOA and/or Board will NOT call licensees asking for payment over the phone.
• If you get a text message or call asking for your credit card information, hang up.
• Do NOT give your personal or financial information over the phone.
• If you feel that you are a victim of any type of scam, you should immediately notify your local or state police.

Continued Value of Therapy Services in Home Health Patient Driven Groupings Model

On August 5, 2019 and in anticipation of a new Medicare home health patient classification and payment system (Patient Driven Groupings Model - PDGM) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) collaborated with the three national professional rehabilitation associations (ASHA, APTA and AOTA). Collectively, they presented an educational webinar regarding the patient classifications essential to this new patient classification system and the associated payment model.

Scheduled for implementation in January 2020, home health clinicians are encouraged to understand that services are to be assessed and paid under a predetermined value system. Although the OASIS will continue to be submitted every 60 days, the resources used to care for the patient will be reviewed and re-assessed every 30 days. 

How To Show Your Value Within PDPM

On September 4, 2019 and in anticipation of a new Medicare skilled nursing facility patient classification and payment system (Patient Driven Payment Model -PDPM) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) collaborated with the three national professional rehabilitation associations ( ASHA, APTA and AOTA). Collectively, they presented an educational webinar regarding the patient classifications essential to this new patient classification system and the associated payment model.

Scheduled for implementation in October 2019, skilled nursing facility clinicians are encouraged to understand that services are to be assessed and paid under a predetermined value system. The MDS Initial Assessment will be completed within three days of admission. The patient will be classified as needing services based on the presence of diagnoses historically identified as needing SLP care.