July 17, 2024
Navigating the provision of rehabilitation therapy services can be challenging. Balancing operational goals and knowledge of the regulatory and reimbursement landscape while ensuring quality care requires a strategic choice between contract therapy and in-house therapy. Here’s a look at the benefits and considerations for each approach.
Contract Therapy
Contract therapy simplifies managing your therapy department by collaborating with rehabilitation experts, offering these key advantages:
- Reduce Cost: By eliminating fixed staffing costs, you can enjoy enhanced efficiency with therapy staff managed by a dedicated Director of Rehab and benefit from predictable pricing.
- Reduce Burden: National recruitment support ensures full staffing, regulatory compliance helps keep you updated on regulatory changes, and clear communication helps maintain strong connections through transparent collaboration.
- Reduce Risk: Documentation management and monitoring regulatory changes help safeguard your business through enhanced compliance. Contract therapy companies tend to be well-versed in documentation, MDS support, denials and appeals management.
In-House Therapy Management
In-house therapy management offers a tailored approach with extensive support to fit your community’s unique needs:
- Cost Control and Revenue Opportunities: For SNF operators who understand the intricacies of PDPM and therapy regulations, it is possible to control costs. This depends on an operator’s ability to excel at accurate coding and scoring and effective interdisciplinary team function. Partnering with I-SNPs can help you increase your managed care partnerships. By working in-house, you can take a more integrated, interdisciplinary approach to your facility and focus on the unique needs of the diverse service offerings.
- Control of Staff: With an in-house therapy model, you control who you hire and your staff’s schedule, allowing you to flex your staff to best meet your facility’s needs. Because the therapy department is just another department in your facility, it falls under the same set of HR policies and overall management, making it easier to address disciplinary problems or staff concerns.
- Employee Engagement: When staff work directly for you instead of a contractor, they may feel more engaged and loyal to your facility. This is because everyone is part of the same team in providing quality care, and there is no “us vs. them” attitude between departments. Engagement plays a crucial role in retaining staff and reducing the likelihood of turnover.
Both contract therapy and in-house management have unique benefits. Contract therapy reduces costs, burdens and risks, while in-house therapy offers greater control. For communities considering a transition to in-house therapy, PACS Consulting provides management services agreements that help ensure a smooth and successful shift.
Explore how PACS can support your in-house therapy transition at https://www.pacsconsulting.com/management-services.