Practice Answer: Can Occupational Therapists bill for report writing under Support at Home?

Whether an Occupational Therapist can charge for report writing under Support at Home depends on what the documentation relates to and the applicable claiming and pricing arrangements.

A common misconception is that every activity undertaken can be charged to the participant as additional clinical time.

Start with the purpose of the documentation

Documentation is part of providing a professional Occupational Therapy service. Occupational Therapists have professional obligations to maintain appropriate clinical records regardless of whether every administrative component is separately chargeable.

However, there is an important distinction between routine administration or record keeping and clinical work required to support a particular service or recommendation. And Support at Home billing guidance aims to make that particular differeniation.

For example, documentation associated with assessment, clinical reasoning and recommendations may need to be considered differently from general administration e.g. a case note related to a direct service event.

There are also specific arrangements within Support at Home for activities associated with assistive technology and home modifications, including clinical support and wrap-around activities.

Don't assume NDIS billing rules apply

Occupational Therapists moving from the NDIS into aged care should be particularly careful about carrying billing practices from one funding system into another.

Support at Home has its own service list, claiming arrangements and pricing requirements.

The question should therefore not simply be:

"Did the OT spend time doing this?"

Instead consider:

"What service or activity is being provided, where does it sit within Support at Home, and how is that activity permitted to be charged or claimed?"

Providers and associated providers also need clarity about their agreed pricing and billing arrangements before services commence.

Keep billing and clinical documentation separate

Invoices should reflect the service provided and follow the billing guidance, including use of appropriate codes.

Practice takeaway: Under Support at Home, don't automatically apply billing habits from other funding schemes. Identify the activity being undertaken, check how it fits within the Support at Home service and claiming arrangements, and ensure your billing agreement with the provider is clear.