The MO HealthNet Division (MHD) is responding to an outbreak of respiratory disease caused by a novel (new) coronavirus. The virus has been named "SARS-CoV-2" and the disease it causes has been named "coronavirus disease 2019" (abbreviated "COVID-19").
Beginning March 13, 2020 and until the end of the public health emergency due to COVID-19, the following changes have been implemented for the Home Health Program:
Occupational Therapists (OTs), Physical Therapists (PTs) and Speech and Language Pathologists (SLPs): OTs, PTs and SLPs may perform the initial and comprehensive assessment for all patients. The requirement that OTs, PTs and SLPs may only perform the initial and comprehensive assessment when only therapy services are ordered are waived. This modification allows an OT, PT, or SLP to perform the initial and comprehensive assessment for all patients receiving therapy services as part of the plan of care, to the extent permitted under state law, regardless of whether or not the service establishes eligibility for the patient to be receiving home care. OTs, PTs and SLPs are not permitted to perform assessments in nursing only cases. HHAs are expected to continue to match the appropriate discipline that performs the assessment to the needs of the patient to the greatest extent possible.