Time Frames for Initiation of Care

In short

• Our start-of-care time frame: care starts within 48 hours of receiving the referral, or on the date the practitioner orders.
• If we are Medicare-certified, the registered nurse’s initial assessment visit must also be within 48 hours of referral, within 48 hours of the patient’s return home, or on the ordered start date. Meet whichever is earlier.
• The clock runs on weekends and holidays and does not stop while we wait for paperwork.
• If a deadline is at risk, tell the supervising nurse before it passes. The patient and practitioner must be told of any delay.
• After a hospital stay of 24 hours or more, the assessment must be updated within 48 hours of the patient’s return home, or on the ordered resumption date.