Section 418.10204. Office visit or other outpatient visit; evaluation and management of patient's progress in physical treatment.

(1) An office visit or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of a patient's progress in physical treatment shall only be billed when there is a change of signs or symptoms and when the referring or treating practitioner provides  supporting   documentation as described in subrule (2) of this rule. The supporting documentation shall indicate that it is medically appropriate for the practitioner to make the evaluation. (2) Documentation shall include the referring or treating practitioner's statement that an office visit was medically necessary. In addition, a report shall state that an examination was conducted and shall set forth  the specific findings by the practitioner, including all of the following:

(a)    A description of the evaluation of function in measurable terms based on physical findings and problem identification.

(b)   A goal statement.

(c)   A treatment plan.

(d)   Physical and functional improvement in measurable terms that has occurred in relationship to the diagnosis for which physical medicine treatment was prescribed.

(e)      The likelihood of continued improvement if physical medicine treatment were continued.

(3)   The report required pursuant to subrule (2) of this rule may be used to meet the reporting requirements of physical  medicine  services provided in these rules.

(4)   The office visit or other outpatient visit for the evaluation and management of a patient shall include the evaluation procedures that are appropriate to the diagnosis.

(5)    Nothing in this rule pertains to office visits or other outpatient visits for the evaluation and management of a patient that are not related to physical treatment.

History: 1998-2000 AACS.