SECTION 554.1203. Frequency of Physician Visits

Physician visits must conform to the following schedule:

(1) Licensed-only facility. Each resident must have a medical examination at least annually by the resident's physician and as necessary to meet the needs of the resident. Physician orders must be reviewed and revised as necessary at least once every 60 days, unless the resident's physician specifies, in writing in the resident's clinical record, a different schedule for each review and revision.

(2) Medicaid-certified facilities and Medicare skilled nursing facilities.

(A) The resident must be seen by a physician at least once every 30 days for the first 90 days after admission, and at least once every 60 days thereafter.

(B) A physician visit is considered timely if it occurs not later than ten days after the date the visit was required.

(C) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this section and §19.1205(c) of this subchapter (relating to Physician Delegation of Tasks), all required visits must be made by the physician personally.

(3) Medicare skilled nursing facilities. At the option of the physician, required visits in Medicare skilled nursing facilities after the initial visit may alternate between personal visits by the physician and visits by a physician assistant or an advanced practice registered nurse in accordance with §19.1205 of this subchapter.

Source Note: The provisions of this §554.1203 adopted to be effective May 1, 1995, 20 TexReg 2393; amended to be effective October 15, 1998, 23 TexReg 10496; amended to be effective March 24, 2020, 45 TexReg 2025; transferred effective January 15, 2021, as published in the Texas Register December 11, 2020, 45 TexReg 8871