Recently, Medicare regulation 42 CFR 485.717 was clarified, requiring all rehabilitation agencies offer social and/or vocational services not just to Medicare patients, but to all patients. This regulation requires that rehabilitation programs provide qualified social work staff to evaluate social and vocational factors, to counsel and advise on social or vocational problems that arise from a patient’s illness or injury, and to make referrals for needed services. The regulation further states that a rehabilitation agency may use a screening tool or other written method to gather and document evidence about a patient’s need for such social services, but that the screening tool must be approved by a social worker who will determine the need for further evaluation. In addition, the screening and evaluation process must be documented in the patient’s clinical record. If the social worker decides that further services are needed, then the social worker must provide them or make appropriate referrals.

Social Work Rehab Solutions provides the solution to meeting the regulation requirements. >>