Legislation introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives would allow occupational therapists to open home health episodes of care by conducting the initial visit and comprehensive assessment.
 
Currently, only nurses physical therapists and speech language pathologists can open a home health case. Similar legislation has been introduced in previous years, but has not yet become law.
 
The Medicare Home Health Flexibility Act of 2019 would allow occupational therapists to conduct the initial assessment visit and complete the comprehensive assessment in cases that do not have orders for skilled nursing.
 
Related links: View the proposed legislation at https://bit.ly/2xcJu6S or https://bit.ly/2JadZQC.