Skilled Services Defined

30.2.1 - Skilled Services Defined (Rev. 179, Issued: 01-14-14, Effective: 01-07-14, Implementation: 01-07-14) Skilled nursing and/or skilled rehabilitation services are those services, furnished pursuant to physician orders, that: • Require the skills of qualified technical or professional health personnel such as registered nurses, licensed practical (vocational) nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists or audiologists; and • Must be provided directly by or under the general supervision of these skilled nursing or skilled rehabilitation personnel to assure the safety of the patient and to achieve the medically desired result. NOTE: “General supervision” requires initial direction and periodic inspection of the actual activity. However, the supervisor need not always be physically present or on the premises when the assistant is performing services. Skilled care may be necessary to improve a patient’s current condition, to maintain the patient’s current condition, or to prevent or slow further deterioration of the patient’s condition.