According to CGS Administrators, qualified professionals may serve as clinical instructors for therapy students within their scope of practice. Physical therapist assistants and occupational therapy assistants may only serve as clinical instructors for physical therapist assistant students and occupational therapy assistant students, respectively, when performed under the direction and supervision of the licensed physical or occupational therapist (in states where licensure applies).
Services performed by a student (therapy student or therapy assistant student) are not reimbursed, even if provided under “line of sight” supervision of the therapist. However, the services of a qualified professional are covered, even when a student is participating in the care. To be covered when the student is participating, the qualified professional must be present in the room and must:
Direct the service, making the skilled judgment and assessment, and assume responsibility for the treatment;
Not be engaged in treating another patient or doing other tasks at the same time (such as documentation); AND must
Sign all documentation appropriately. A student may also sign the documentation, but it is not necessary since the Part B payment is for the qualified professional’s service, not for the student’s services.
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