What is required documentation to initiate therapy services?

• A. Documentation Requirement
• B. Physician Orders
• C. Start of Care Visit
• D. Medicare Home Health Benefit

Answer: (B)

Initiating therapy services requires a physician's orders. The physician order provides formal authorization and specifies the type of therapy (PT, OT, or SLP), along with the requested frequency and duration and any goals or medical limitations. This documentation shows medical necessity and is what the home health agency uses to begin therapy and bill for the services. The Start of Care visit is the initial assessment used to develop the plan of care, but it cannot authorize therapy on its own. The Medicare Home Health Benefit describes the program, not the specific document needed to start therapy. So the physician’s orders are the required documentation to initiate therapy services.