Documentation and Reimbursement for Speech-Language Pathologists

Although it is the least noticed by patients, effective documentation is one of the most critical skills that speech-language pathologists must learn. With that in mind, Documentation and Reimbursement for Speech-Language Pathologists: Principles and Practiceprovides a comprehensive guide to documentation, coding, and reimbursement across all work settings.

The text begins with section 1 covering the importance of documentation and the basic rules, both ethical and legal, followed by an exploration of the various documentation forms and formats. Also included are tips on how to use electronic health records, as well as different coding systems for diagnosis and for procedures, with an emphasis on the link between coding, reimbursement, and the documentation to support reimbursement.
Section 2 explains the importance of focusing on function in patient-centered care with the ICF as the conceptual model, then goes on to cover each of the types of services speech-language pathologists provide: evaluation, treatment planning, therapy, and discharge planning. Multiple examples of forms and formats are given for each.

In section 3, Nancy Swigert and her expert team of contributors dedicate each chapter to a work setting in which speech-language pathologists might work, whether adult or pediatric, because each setting has its own set of documentation and reimbursement challenges. And since client documentation is not the only kind of writing done by speech-language pathologists, a separate chapter on “other professional writing” includes information on how to write correspondence, avoid common mistakes, and even prepare effective PowerPoint presentations.

Each chapter in Documentation and Reimbursement for Speech-Language Pathologists contains activities to apply information learned in that chapter as well as review questions for students to test their knowledge. Customizable samples of many types of forms and reports are also available.

Included with the text are online supplemental materials for faculty use in the classroom.

Documentation and Reimbursement for Speech-Language Pathologists: Principles and Practice is the perfect text for speech-language pathology students to learn these vital skills, but it will also provide clinical supervisors, new clinicians, and speech-language pathologists starting a private practice or managing a department with essential information about documentation, coding, and reimbursement.