Rehabilitation Agencies

Rehabilitation agencies are federally certified and provide an integrated multidisciplinary program designed to improve the physical function of handicapped individuals by bringing together a team of specialized rehabilitation personnel. At a minimum, a rehabilitation agency must provide physical therapy or speech pathology services.

When a rehabilitation agency bills the Medicare program for services rendered from the premises of other institutions in an area set aside for rehabilitation care, these premises are considered extension units of a rehabilitation agency. Any instance in which the service is provided other than a patient's bedside or in a patient room is considered an extension unit. A premise that is owned or rented by the Rehabilitation Agency from which services are rendered is also considered an extension unit of the Rehabilitation Agency.

License/Certification Requirements

Certification is achieved by submission of a completed application, required documentation, and successful completion of a survey.

There are no fees and no renewal applications required for certification.

Unless required by the "Health Care Clinic Act", there are no state licensing requirements imposed by the Agency. Additional information on health care clinic licensure or exemption can be obtained from the Agency's Health Care Clinic Unit.

Statute/Rule Authority

• 42 CFR, Part 485, Subpart H, Sections 485.701-.729
• CMS State Operations Manual
  (See Sections 2290-2306)
• S&C Memorandum 09-21
  (Changes affecting the survey and certification of rehabilitation programs.)
• Summary of S&C Memorandum 09-21
• Interpretive Guidelines - Appendix E
• Surveyors Checklist-CMS-1893

Forms

• Applicant Instructions (343K PDF)
• Request for Certification in the Medicare Program - CMS Form 1856
• Health Insurance Benefit Agreement - CMS Form 1561
• Medicare Administrative Contractor Choice Form
• Medicare Certification Civil Rights Information Request Form - OMB 0990-0243
• Assurance of Compliance - HHS Form 690

Accreditation

Rehabilitation agencies accredited by an accrediting organization approved by CMS may be exempt from initial and recertification inspections by the Agency for Health Care Administration. A copy of the accreditation award letter and the complete accreditation report, including any corrective actions must be submitted to the Agency for review. If the accrediting organization does not include it in the award letter verification of Medicare deemed status must also be submitted.

• CMS Survey and Certification Letter re: Deeming Authority
• American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities (AAAASF)
  • www.RAAccreditation.org
    AAAASF/RA DIVISION
    5101 Washington Street
    P.O. BOX 9500
    Gurnee, IL 60031
    Phone: Toll Free 866-240-6970
    Fax: 847-775-1985

Civil Rights Information and Forms

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Updated August 1, 2011