Texas Register

TITLE 28 INSURANCE
PART 2TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE, DIVISION OF WORKERS' COMPENSATION
CHAPTER 134BENEFITS--GUIDELINES FOR MEDICAL SERVICES, CHARGES, AND PAYMENTS
SUBCHAPTER CMEDICAL FEE GUIDELINES
RULE §134.230Return to Work Rehabilitation Programs
ISSUE 07/01/2016
ACTION Final/Adopted
Preamble Texas Admin Code Rule

The following shall be applied to Return To Work Rehabilitation Programs for billing and reimbursement of Work Conditioning/General Occupational Rehabilitation Programs, Work Hardening/Comprehensive Occupational Rehabilitation Programs, Chronic Pain Management/Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Programs, and Outpatient Medical Rehabilitation Programs. To qualify as a division Return to Work Rehabilitation Program, a program should meet the specific program standards for the program as listed in the most recent Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) Medical Rehabilitation Standards Manual, which includes active participation in recovery and return to work planning by the injured employee, employer and payor or insurance carrier.

  (1)Accreditation by the CARF is recommended, but not required.

    (A)If the program is CARF accredited, modifier "CA" shall follow the appropriate program modifier as designated for the specific programs listed below. The hourly reimbursement for a CARF accredited program shall be 100 percent of the maximum allowable reimbursement (MAR).

    (B)If the program is not CARF accredited, the only modifier required is the appropriate program modifier. The hourly reimbursement for a non-CARF accredited program shall be 80 percent of the MAR.

  (2)For division purposes, General Occupational Rehabilitation Programs, as defined in the CARF manual, are considered Work Conditioning.

    (A)The first two hours of each session shall be billed and reimbursed as one unit, using CPT code 97545 with modifier "WC." Each additional hour shall be billed using CPT code 97546 with modifier "WC." CARF accredited programs shall add "CA" as a second modifier.

    (B)Reimbursement shall be $36 per hour. Units of less than one hour shall be prorated by 15 minute increments. A single 15 minute increment may be billed and reimbursed if greater than or equal to eight minutes and less than 23 minutes.

  (3)For division purposes, Comprehensive Occupational Rehabilitation Programs, as defined in the CARF manual, are considered Work Hardening.

    (A)The first two hours of each session shall be billed and reimbursed as one unit, using CPT code 97545 with modifier "WH." Each additional hour shall be billed using CPT code 97546 with modifier "WH." CARF accredited programs shall add "CA" as a second modifier.

    (B)Reimbursement shall be $64 per hour. Units of less than one hour shall be prorated by 15 minute increments. A single 15 minute increment may be billed and reimbursed if greater than or equal to eight minutes and less than 23 minutes.

  (4)The following shall be applied for billing and reimbursement of Outpatient Medical Rehabilitation Programs.

    (A)Program shall be billed and reimbursed using CPT code 97799 with modifier "MR" for each hour. The number of hours shall be indicated in the units column on the bill. CARF accredited programs shall add "CA" as a second modifier.

    (B)Reimbursement shall be $90 per hour. Units of less than one hour shall be prorated by 15 minute increments. A single 15 minute increment may be billed and reimbursed if greater than or equal to eight minutes and less than 23 minutes.

  (5)The following shall be applied for billing and reimbursement of Chronic Pain Management/Interdisciplinary Pain Rehabilitation Programs.

    (A)Program shall be billed and reimbursed using CPT code 97799 with modifier "CP" for each hour. The number of hours shall be indicated in the units column on the bill. CARF accredited programs shall add "CA" as a second modifier.

    (B)Reimbursement shall be $125 per hour. Units of less than one hour shall be prorated in 15 minute increments. A single 15 minute increment may be billed and reimbursed if greater than or equal to eight minutes and less than 23 minutes.

The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on June 17, 2016

TRD-201603100

Nicholas Canaday III

General Counsel

Texas Department of Insurance, Workers' Compensation Division

Effective date: July 7, 2016

Proposal publication date: March 18, 2016

For further information, please call: (512) 804-4703



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