Two senators have introduced legislation to allow Occupational Therapists to finally open patients with a SOC OASIS. The Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2015 (S. 2364) would allow an OT to open a case only when another therapy is ordered by a physician when nursing wasn’t needed.
The two senators from Maryland and Nevada cited the need and importance of OT and therapy in general in the home. This is a positive step forward for home health agencies. We will keep agencies updated on this issue, should the legislation be passed.