Medicare SN frequencies

[JjemRN]

How to you handle writing SN frequencies if the episode starts in the middle of a week when you aren't seeing a pt for the remainder of the week. For example you recert on a tuesday(last day of the episode) and you are not scheduling another visit until the following Tuesday. I have been told to write out "no visit for------"to include the rest of the week then to start my 1w8 or what ever it would be. Any other suggestions since it can't be a 0w1? Thanks

[BBP42]

I say one visit every two weeks for two weeks, then continue with 1w whatever. Our computer allows for that, not sure if your system does.

[JustMeRN]

Write them for month frequencies. So instead of 1w8 write 4m2. So in your case, if you want to see them once a week but don't need another visit this week do 3m1 followed by 4m1 and adjust your visit dates accordingly. Writing for visits in a monthly fashion when you are seeing a patient less frequently allows a lot more flexibility without creating frequency violations as well.

[joseyjo]

I am new to HH (week 10!) so can I ask why you cant write it as 0w1? That is what my HH does... Is it against the medicare rules? I am at a small agency and have found already that there is a lot that we are doing may not be quite right.

TIA!

[BBP42]

I don't know if that breaks any rules but our software does not allow for 0 in the frequency box. So we need to either write a number for every 2 weeks or for monthly as another poster suggested for our system to accept it.