PDPM Components-SLP Speech/language Pathology

The Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) component of the Patient-Driven Payment Model (PDPM) focuses on various patient characteristics predictive of increased SLP costs. These characteristics include diagnoses in the Acute Neurologic clinical classification and twelve SLP-related comorbidities such as aphasia, CVA/TIA/stroke, hemiplegia or hemiparesis, traumatic brain injury, tracheostomy or ventilator use, laryngeal cancer, apraxia, dysphagia, ALS, oral cancers, or speech and language deficits​​.

Under PDPM, cognitive impairment is also a key consideration, with the patient's cognitive status assessed using the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) or staff assessment completed in Section C of the Minimum Data Set (MDS). Documentation in Section K of the MDS regarding the use of a mechanically-altered diet or the presence of a swallowing disorder also plays a crucial role in the SLP component calculation​​.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) further elaborates on the broad scope of SLP services, highlighting their role in addressing a wide range of conditions from neonatal issues to neurological diseases/dysfunctions and psychiatric disorders​​.

Additionally, the SLP component's reimbursement mechanism under PDPM is detailed, emphasizing the importance of capturing accurate coding for the 5-day MDS to ensure appropriate reimbursement. This includes the significance of diagnosing conditions related to SLP services, any level of cognitive impairment, swallowing disorders, and mechanically altered diets​​.

The transition from the RUG model to PDPM requires skilled nursing facilities to adapt their MDS assessments to accurately reflect all diagnoses, conditions, and treatments that impact SLP services, as these are critical for determining reimbursement under the new model​​. For more detailed information on how these components are assessed and calculated within PDPM, referring to resources provided by LW Consulting and the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association can offer further insights into optimizing care and reimbursement through accurate documentation and comprehensive SLP assessments.