Are you aware that you can use a physician order in lieu of a physician signing your initial plan of care? You didn’t? Don’t feel bad, you are not alone! Reviewers at your Medicare Administrative Contractor who are reviewing your outpatient therapy documentation are unaware as well. When Did This Change Occur? What Was The Change? What Criteria Must be Met for an Order to Serve as a POC? Which Frequency and Duration Do I Use? What Outpatient Therapy Settings Does This Change Apply To? Where Can I Obtain Additional Information on this Topic?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has provided updated guidance regarding the use of a physician referral as the initial certification. To access this updated guidance, click

There is confusion as to whether or not a physician order can serve as the initial plan of care for an original Medicare beneficiary receiving outpatient therapy. In this article, I will answer the following questions:

One of the more frequent questions I receive has to do with how long is an order valid for from the time it is written, signed and dated by the physician. In this article, I will answer the following questions:

One of the most common questions I am asked via email and in-person during a seminar is “When does an order for therapy expire” or “How old can an order be before a patient starts therapy”? To answer this question, we must look in 3 places. The first is your