What is Face-To-Face?
Recently, Medicare began to require Medicare recipients receiving home health care to have a face-to-face encounter with their physician or non-physician practitioner (such as a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist). This encounter must occur up to 90 days prior to a patient being admitted for home care services. If the encounter does not occur prior to the start of care, then it must be completed within 30 days from the date home care services were initiated. The encounter must be documented and certified by the respective physician and is a condition of payment for home care services under Medicare guidelines. Below are some links to learn more about Face-To-Face requirements.