Final answer:
Medicare is required to cover therapy services even if the patient does not show improvement, due to the Jimmo v. Sebelius settlement. The improvement requirement has been replaced by coverage for services needed to maintain or prevent deterioration of the patient's condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
False: Medicare is now required to cover therapy services, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, regardless of whether the patient shows improvement or not. This change is due to the Jimmo v. Sebelius settlement.
To clarify, prior to the 2013 Jimmo v. Sebelius settlement, Medicare had an unofficial "improvement standard," where coverage of these services was often contingent upon the patient demonstrating continued improvement. However, the settlement established that therapy services are covered by Medicare to maintain the patient's current condition or prevent or slow further deterioration. This is important for patients with chronic conditions or disabilities, for whom improvement may not always be possible, yet they require ongoing therapy to maintain their level of functioning.
It's important to understand, though, that while the requirement for improvement has been removed, Medicare still sets limits on therapy coverage that therapists and patients must navigate. These limits are known as therapy caps, which may be exceeded if continuing therapy is deemed medically necessary.