During this time of year, missed visit questions tend to come up more frequently. Based on many years of survey experience, these questions and answers have been compiled as a guide.
Example is Patient is set up with an ordered frequency is 2 visits per week (Sunday-Saturday)
These are examples of what happens where “hands on visits” do not occur.
Q1. Go to client location, they are not home. Fill out missed visit report. Does this count against frequency per MCR?
A1. This was an attempted visit (hopefully it was previously scheduled with patient). So, it would satisfy the frequency if a missed visit is documented, stating the attempt.
Q2. Did not get to patient for a visit at all–just not enough time, and no time to make up before the end of the Medicare week. Filled out missed visit report. Does this count against frequency per MCR?
A2. There was no attempt made, so frequency was NOT met and the visit needs to be made up during that Medicare week (Sunday-Saturday).
Q3. Family says does not want visit for Thanksgiving Day, Friday, or Saturday. Do you still have to make 2 visits during Sun-Wed or can one be a missed visit since family refused.
A3. This can be documented as a missed visit as family refused, but does not satisfy the frequency. However, documentation should also be very specific to show that other visits that week were offered to meet frequency, and also refused. Surveyors know that staff can, at times, do this for staff convenience rather than patient convenience, which is not allowed.
Please check with your software vendor to determine how to document each type in the software you use.