Next Event: Policies and Procedures for Therapy Departments: The Why, The What and the Pitfalls
Date: March 26,2025
This 1.5-hour online course will discuss the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Program Guidance for all entities involved in the Healthcare Industry. This includes private practices and facility settings that provide outpatient physical, occupational, and speech therapy services. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: Where Did My Money Go
Date: April 09,2025
This 1.5-hour online course is designed to help private practice owners and entrepreneurs understand how to think in terms of cash flow AND profit. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: Defining Your Compensation Structure In Today’s Environment
Date: May 07,2025
This 1.5-hour online course will uncover the key ingredients to developing a sustainable compensation structure in today’s environment to retain staff and increase transparency as a cornerstone of workforce retention. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: Baton Rouge, LA 2025
Date: May 14,2025
Understanding the Complex World of Therapy Services: Documentation, CPT Coding, NCCI Edits, and Billing
This seminar will teach participants the required components of documentation, what interventions are included within each CPT code and how to correctly bill to Medicare and all other insurance carriers as they relate to outpatient therapy services. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: New Orleans, LA 2025
Date: May 15,2025
Understanding the Complex World of Therapy Services: Documentation, CPT Coding, NCCI Edits, and Billing
This seminar will teach participants the required components of documentation, what interventions are included within each CPT code and how to correctly bill to Medicare and all other insurance carriers as they relate to outpatient therapy services. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: Practical Application of Front End Essentials for Billing
Date: May 28,2025
This 1.5-hour online course is designed to teach participants what information is needed in a proper front end entry to help you get paid what you deserve the first time through. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: NCCI Edits & Modifier 59: Version 31.2
Date: June 26,2025
This online course will provide participants with information on NCCI Edits Version 31.2 that will be in effect with dates of service beginning on July 1, 2025 and lasting through September 30, 2025. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: Understanding Reevaluations, Progress Reports, Discharge Reports, and Medicare Certifications and Recertifications
Date: August 07,2025
This online course will teach participants what documentation is required in a reevaluation, progress report, and discharge report, when you can bill a reevaluation, the 2025 Medicare Part B certification and recertification requirements, and how one note can serve as a reevaluation, progress report, and a recertification. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the Physical Therapy Evaluation CPT Codes
Date: September 10,2025
This 2.5-hour online course will teach participants how to determine and select the appropriate physical therapy evaluation CPT code based on their documentation in the medical record of the 4 components of the physical therapy evaluation CPT codes for pediatrics, adults, and geriatrics. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: Fargo, ND 2025
Date: September 12,2025
Understanding the Complex World of Therapy Services: Documentation, CPT Coding, NCCI Edits, and Billing
This seminar will teach participants the required components of documentation, what interventions are included within each CPT code and how to correctly bill to Medicare and all other insurance carriers as they relate to outpatient therapy services. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding the Occupational Therapy Evaluation CPT Codes
Date: October 08,2025
This 2.5-hour online course will teach participants how to determine and select the appropriate occupational therapy evaluation CPT code based on their documentation in the medical record of the 3 components of the occupational therapy evaluation CPT codes for pediatrics, adults, and geriatrics. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: Establishing Your Budget and Metrics for 2026
Date: October 23,2025
This online course will teach participants what metrics should be tracked on a weekly or monthly basis as well as how to establish your budget for outpatient therapy services provided in calendar year 2026. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: 2026 Outpatient Therapy Regulatory and Payment Updates
Date: November 19,2025
This 1.5-hour online course will provide participants with regulatory and payment changes that will impact outpatient physical, occupational and speech therapy services in calendar year 2026. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: Complying With The Good Faith Estimate Requirement in 2026
Date: December 10,2025
This 1.5 hour online course will teach participants what the Good Faith Estimate (GFE) is, to which insurance carriers and patients the GFE applies to, what are the required elements of a GFE, what information must be posted on your website and in your clinic, and explain the patient-provider dispute resolution process. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: 2026 MIPS for Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech-Language Pathologists
Date: December 18,2025
This 2.5-hour online course will assist physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists in private practices, office managers of private practices, administrators and owners of private practices, and billers and billing companies of private practices in their preparation to report MIPS for the 2026 Performance Period. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: NCCI Edits & Modifier 59: Version 32.0
Date: January 07,2026
This online course will provide participants with information on NCCI Edits Version 32.0 that will be in effect with dates of service beginning on January 1, 2026 and lasting through March 31, 2026. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Next Event: Rev Up Your Revenue Cycle Management and Increase Your Bottom Line
Date: February 18,2026
This 1.5-hour online course will teach participants practical ways to improve their organization’s revenue cycle management (RCM) and bottom line. For additional information and to register, click HERE.
Rick Gawenda, P.T., graduated in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan. Mr. Gawenda is currently the President and founder of Gawenda Seminars & Consulting, Inc. He has provided valuable education and consulting to hospitals, rehabilitation agencies, private practices, nursing homes, and his peers in the areas of CPT and ICD-10 coding, billing, documentation, reimbursement, and compliance as it pertains to outpatient therapy services as well as denial management and the appeals process for Medicare denied claims. Mr. Gawenda’s website, www.woocommerce-345137-2568417.cloudwaysapps.com, provides a valuable source of information on rehabilitation rules and regulations, coding, documentation, and reimbursement.
Mr. Gawenda is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and Michigan Physical Therapy Association (MPTA). Mr. Gawenda is the Past President of the Section on Health Policy & Administration of the APTA as well as Past President of the Michigan Association of Medical Rehabilitation Program Administrators.
Mr. Gawenda is also the author of “The How-To Manual for Rehab Documentation: A Complete Guide to Increasing Reimbursement and Reducing Denials” and “Coding and Billing For Outpatient Rehab Made Easy: Proper Use of CPT Codes, ICD-9 Codes and Modifiers”.
To register online with a credit card, purchase a ticket at the bottom of this page. We do not take Purchase Orders (PO's) from any organization!
Physical, occupational, and speech therapy services for pediatrics, adults, and geriatrics continue to be on the medical record review radar for Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance carriers medical review entities for documentation, CPT coding, and billing issues. This seminar applies to therapists and assistants who treat pediatrics, adults, and geriatrics in all outpatient therapy settings.
This seminar will teach participants the necessary components of documentation for the initial evaluation, reevaluation, progress reports, daily notes, discharge reports and the Medicare Part B certification and recertification process that will help participants document the key points in supporting medical necessity and the skilled nature of outpatient therapy services not only for insurance carriers, but for their respective state practice act.
The seminar will teach participants what interventions, techniques and procedures are included within the CPT codes most commonly used by physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and speech-language pathologists. The seminar will teach participants about the caregiver training services (CTS) CPT codes, documentation required to bill the CTS codes, and how to bill the CTS codes. These new CTS codes are very applicable to the pediatric population for all 3 disciplines.
The seminar will teach participants the national correct coding initiative (NCCI) edits and the proper use of Modifier 59 for Medicare, Medicaid and commercial insurance carriers. Lastly, the seminar will teach participants Medicare’s “8-minute rule”, definition of substantial per the American Medical Association, and provide billing scenarios to ensure therapists bill correctly to all insurance carriers, including the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Describe and implement the necessary components of an initial evaluation to support the need for skilled therapy services
Identify when a reevaluation is appropriate to perform on a patient and bill to an insurance carrier
List the required and necessary components of a progress report to support the therapy already provided and the need for continued skilled therapy services
Apply strategies to more effectively support medical necessity and skilled services in your daily notes
Describe and implement the necessary components of a discharge report to
demonstrate the nature of skilled services provided to support why you should be paid for those services
Understand the certification and recertification process for Medicare Part B therapy services
Distinguish between therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular reeducation & therapeutic activities
Identify how to select the correct CPT code(s) based on interventions and techniques provided and documentation in the medical record
Describe the requirements to bill the caregiver training services CPT codes
Recite when to append modifier 59 to a CPT code on the claim form
Explain how to charge correctly for the services you provide under outpatient therapy benefits for Medicare and private insurance carriers
08:00AM – 09:45AM – Documentation requirements for evaluations and reevaluations
09:45AM – 10:00AM – Documentation requirements for Progress Reports
10:00AM – 10:15AM – Break
10:15AM – 11:15AM – Documentation requirements for daily notes and discharge reports
11:15AM – 11:30AM – Medicare Part B certification & recertification requirements
11:30AM – 12:00PM – CPT codes most commonly utilized by PT and OT
12:00PM – 1:00PM – Lunch
1:00PM – 2:00PM – CPT codes most commonly utilized by PT and OT (cont)
2:00PM – 2:45PM – CPT codes most commonly utilized by SLP
2:45PM – 3:00PM – Break
3:15PM – 3:45PM – NCCI edits and use of Modifier 59
3:45PM– 4:00PM – Medicare “8-minute rule” and definition of substantial per the American Medical Association
Early Registration cost is $229. Prices will go up to $259.00 on February 7, 2025. Sign up today!
Physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, speech-language pathologists, private practice owners and practice administrators, office managers at private practices, therapy billing companies, as well as directors, managers, supervisors and billers in skilled nursing facilities, hospital outpatient therapy departments, schools, rehabilitation agencies, home health agencies, and comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities.
Each registrant will receive an email with a link and password to download the seminar handout in a pdf format. Three options will be provided: a 1 slide per page, a 2 slides per and a 3 slides per page.
Participants will need to bring their computer laptops and chargers with them or print off the handout prior to the seminar date and bring their own paper copy. No handouts will be provided to participants at the seminar location.
7.0 CE Hours
CIAO is an ASHA Approved Provider #AAWA. (Available for 0.7 ASHA CEUs)
ASHA CE Provider Approval and use of the Brand Block does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.
This course meets PDU requirements for NBCOT (7.0 PDUs)
This activity meets continuing competence requirements for PT/PTA license renewal in TX
This activity is provided by the Texas Board of PT Examiners Accredited Prov #2502009#TX
The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE
The Physical Therapy Board of California has determined that CIAO meets the standards set forth in section 1399.95 of the CA Code of Regulations
The Physical Therapy Board of California recognizes CIAO Seminars as an Approval Agency to Approve Providers Offering Continuing Competency Courses
CIAO is a Rule Approved Provider for the Florida Board of Physical Therapy
CIAO is an Approved Provider for the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy
CIAO is an Illinois Approved Provider for PT/PTA Continuing Education
CIAO is recognized as an Approved Provider for PT/PTAs by the NYSE Dept State Board for PT
Approved for:
7.0 Hrs. PT/PTAs in CA(#CIAO24-107) and Louisiana
7.0 Hrs. Registered with CEBroker for OT/COTAs in AL, AZ, GA, LA, MS, SC, TN
7.0 Hrs. Registered with CEBroker for PT/PTAs in AZ, GA, OK, SC, TN
8.0 Hrs. OT/COTAs in FL (CE Broker 20-1186494)
8.0 Hrs. PT/PTAs in FL (CE Broker 20-1186494)
8.4 Hrs. PT/PTAs in NY
Meets Requirements for:
PT/PTAs in AL, AK, AZ, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, ID, IN, IA, KS, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, MT, NE, NH, NC, ND, OR, PA, RI,
SC, SD, TN, UT, VT, VA, WA, WI, WY
OT/COTAs in AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, GA, HI, ID, IA, IN, KS, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ,,
*Meets Requirements means either this course follows the state rules/regulations for a CE course, or the course is approved by an entity that the state recognizes as an approver.
Accreditation of this course does not necessarily imply that the entities approving this continuing education support the views of the presenter or the sponsors.
CE Questions? Contact Cory at CIAO 850-916-8886
Meets PDU requirements for NBCOT
CIAO Automatically reports to CE Broker for Florida Occupational and Physical Therapists and Assistants.
Register for the seminar online. Beginning 1 week before the date of the seminar, each participant will receive an email with a link and password to download the seminar handout in a pdf format. Three options will be provided: a 1 slide per page, a 2 slides per and a 3 slides per page.
Participants will need to bring their computer laptops and chargers with them or print off the handout prior to the seminar date and bring their own paper copy. No handouts will be provided to participants at the seminar location.
After 7 business days from the date of the seminar that you attended, you will go to www.ciaoseminars.com. You will log in with your email address and a temporary password (ciaotemp), complete the course evaluation and then print off your certificate of attendance.
Registrants who request a refund 10 calendar days prior to the date of the onsite seminar they are registered for will receive a refund of what they paid minus a $20.00 processing fee. There are no refunds after that date; however, at the discretion of Gawenda Seminars & Consulting, a credit may be given to attend the same seminar within one year of the date of the seminar the registrant initially registered for.
Each registrant will receive an email with a link and password to download the seminar handout in a pdf format. Three options will be provided: a 1 slide per page, a 2 slides per and a 3 slides per page.
Participants will need to bring their computer laptops and chargers with them or print off the handout prior to the seminar date and bring their own paper copy. No handouts will be provided to participants at the seminar location.
If you have questions about registration or logistics for this live seminar, please contact the Seminar Conference Manager Michelle Gawenda.
Rick Gawenda, PTPresident
Meets PDU requirements for NBCOT