Ethically Navigating the Maze of Billing, Documentation, and Reimbursement for Dysphagia Services in Long-Term Care

Abstract

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have an obligation to accurately record the services that they provide according to the guidelines from the patient's payer, meeting the expectations in the state's practice act and in keeping with the employer's policies relative to billing practices. Accurate, complete, and timely documentation of dysphagia services is a requirement of the ASHA Code of Ethics, as well as an expectation of employers and third-party payers, and is subject to review when determining coverage for claims submitted. Acquiring a familiarity with the myriad of policies, rules, regulations, and expectations can be likened to finding a way through a maze. Clinicians need to balance effective dysphagia service delivery with the demands of the various payers and the regulatory requirements in the SNF to practice in an ethical manner.