Joining the Lifespan Network

Lifespan Therapy App Sign-up

If you're here reading this, you've likely already downloaded the Lifespan Therapy app and filled out your information.  This not only generates your account, but also provides the team with information such as your discipline and desired locations.

Docusign Packet

The HR department should have sent you a Docusign packet to review and complete.  Some of the things in this packet are necessary for onboarding, such as a signed contract.  Others are necessary credentials for agencies during survey, such as a HIPAA agreement and Emergency Planning Acknowledgement. 

Business Classification

Before filling out the Docusign you'll likely want to decide how you will be classified - as a Sole Proprietor, Limited Liability Company, or Corporation.  If this is your first time as an independent contractor and you have questions about this, no worries.  While we can't tell you what option to choose, we do have an information packet which explains the pros and cons of each classification, and how to obtain both an EIN and local  business license if you don't already have one.

Business Starter Pack

Credentials

All necessary credentials must be turned in before you see patients. Usually clinicians will collect all required credentials while completing other parts of onboarding such as the Docusign packet, buying supplies, et cetera. 

A list of required credentials is available here

Supplies

Before treating patients you will need to obtain supplies.  A full list of supplies is available here.

Phone Call

The very last step in the process - once you have gotten the above, or are close to finishing, you will want to schedule an onboarding call with one of our Education Coordinators.  We won't take up a bunch of your time, but will ensure you've had all of your questions answered, preferences and needs recorded, and will review the basics of accepting and scheduling with patients, infection control, important documentation requirements, common problems, and invoicing.  If you would like to set up a time to go through the Lifespan Therapy app and EMR via screensharing in addition, that is also an option.  

Lifespan Therapy App

Still remember your password? All patients will be offered on the Lifespan Therapy app, where you input your availability and service areas.  When a patient is offered, you can read through the details (special patient requests, time preferences, needs, frequency if available); map to the patient's location; and see where the patient is located in relation to other offered and accepted patients.  If you have any questions about the patient, there is a built in messaging thread for each patient.  

If you are interested in the patient, you can provide the soonest date that you are available to see them. The agency will be informed of this date and, assuming this is within 48 hours of the requested date, will likely say yes.  If it is not, they may need to give special approval.  

Therapy Sync EMR

Once you have accepted a patient, the Schedulers will assign this patient to you on TherapySync EMR and plot the visit for you.  You can begin scheduling with the patient using the phone numbers listed at the top of the patient's record and/or the Lifespan Therapy app.  Under Uploaded Documents on the patient's record there will be files such as History and Physicals (H&P), Facesheets from the agency, and other attachments such as home health orders.  

When scheduling, it is best practice to document delays, communication, and updates in a Communication Report on the patient's record.  This helps to keep the agency in the loop, while also alerting Lifespan's team if they need to provide you with support (such as in the event a patient is difficult to reach).  

At the patient's home you will start the visit, obtain the patient's signature, and input information to complete all required sections of the note.  You will have the option to Save and Exit so that you can come back to the note at a later time, or Finalize the note to submit it to QA. 

More information about documenting on EMR can be found under Resources

Examples of redacted notes are available here

QA

Lifespan's QA will review the note according to agency specifications, board regulations, and other standards such as CMS as applicable.  If any problems are found, you will be notified and provided with an opportunity to correct the note.  

When reviewing the note, the QA department will also ensure visits are plotted according to the ordered frequency, the status on the app has been updated appropriately, requests such as authorizations or additional disciplines are processed, recorded, and tracked with the agency, and assistants are informed.  For this reason, it is absolutely vital that notes be submitted in a timely manner so that there are no delays.  

Invoicing

Lifespan processes invoices twice per month, once from the 1st to the 15th of the month and once from the 16th to the end of the month.  The Accounting department is happy to help you through this and will also send out reminders when the pay period has closed and direct deposit dates are nearing.  Lifespan wants you to get paid! 

More information is also available under Invoicing.