Those in the medical staffing profession may recognize the terms Medicaid and Medicare, but do you know what they mean for the physical therapy field? Although Medicaid plans differ state to state, this national public health insurance program provides coverage for a great number of low-income Americans. Since PT coverage is optional, not all states include it in their Medicaid benefits. In fact, according to The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, the following U.S. states don't cover beneficiaries seeking physical rehabilitation:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Virginia
The remaining states will have varying guidelines and coverage when it comes to:
- the duration of rehabilitation sessions
- the exact scope of coverage
- services included and the associated costs
When working with a Medicaid patient on a travel therapy job, you will want to direct any of his or her questions to a qualified professional. However, while on assignment, it may be in your best interest to research the specifics of the state your travel PT job is located in, especially if the facility you are working in sees a great deal of Medicaid beneficiaries.
Tips for working with those covered by Medicaid
While private insurance companies provide restrictions on rehabilitation services as well, these are often more strict when dealing with Medicaid. For instance, in Arizona, coverage is limited to just 15 outpatient visits per year. However, in California, rehab sessions are only covered when it is required by a doctor or as a preventative measure for the patient to avoid hospitalization. Additionally, only two visits per month for up to six months are covered by Medicaid. Some individuals you may work with on travel physical therapy jobs will require longer rehabilitation than the state-specific limitation guidelines. Due to financial restraints, this could require the patient to practice strengthening exercises at home on their own. During your PT sessions, help to educate him or her on continuing the workouts independently.
With all of the intricacies involved in Medicare and Medicaid, it can be difficult to wrap your head around the specifics – especially when starting new travel therapy jobs in different states. You may be surprised to find out the range of benefits that are listed as optional by the public healthcare program, including occupational therapy, eyeglasses, prosthetics and even dentures, in addition to physical therapy and many others.