Following a recent DecisionHealth webinar about the final interpretive guidelines for the revised Home Health Conditions of Participation (CoPs), agencies asked questions of industry expert Diane Link, owner of Link Healthcare Advantage. Here’s one of Link’s answers.
 
Q: If a medical social worker (MSW) is ordered, but the case manager does not feel it is necessary, can she just not include it on the plan of care?
 
A: Yes, it can be omitted from the plan of care. This could apply for social work, therapy, nursing or anything else that is on that initial referral from the physician. If during the comprehensive assessment it is identified, for instance, that there is not a need or the patient is refusing, the service in question should be left off the plan of care. Be sure to document in the narrative the reason why and let the physician know.
 
 
Editor’s note: To purchase an audio version of the February webinar replay, visit https://store.decisionhealth.com/mastering-interpretive-guidelines-020719. It will be available for a year after being purchased.