Managed care and rehabilitation: issues related to cognitive rehabilitation

Managed care has affected the delivery of services in all health care sectors, although its impact on rehabilitation has been slower to take effect. These changes have required clinicians to provide more efficient services that are demonstrated to have an impact on functional outcome. However, in order to be reimbursed for specific rehabilitation services, such as cognitive rehabilitation, it is necessary for clinicians to become more knowledgeable regarding managed care, service delivery, and reimbursement issues. This article describes the impact of managed care on health care in general and on rehabilitation specifically. In addition, current billing procedures and reimbursement issues as they relate to cognitive rehabilitation are discussed, and suggestions for ways to secure reimbursement are presented for all disciplines providing cognitive rehabilitation services.