(a) Each pediatric subacute care unit shall define, implement and maintain a system for assessing and meeting patient needs for all appropriate physical, occupational and speech therapy services including supportive and maintenance programs. The appropriate therapist shall develop a plan of treatment, as specified in (g) or (j) of this section, which shall be integrated into an individualized comprehensive plan of care consistent with an interdisciplinary team approach in meeting each child's needs.

(b) The following definitions shall apply only to this section:

(c) Each pediatric subacute care patient shall receive, not more than 14 calendar days prior to, or within seven calendar days after admission to a pediatric subacute care unit, a complete rehabilitation assessment performed by a physician. Such assessment shall reflect the actual status of the child at the time of admission to the pediatric subacute care unit and shall be repeated as clinically indicated by change in functional or cognitive status of the child.

(d) In addition to the complete rehabilitation assessment specified in (c) of this section, the physician shall, based on functional potential and maintenance needs of the pediatric subacute care patient, develop and recommend a program of therapy to be provided after admission to the pediatric subacute care unit.

(e) Each pediatric subacute care patient shall receive a physical therapy and occupational therapy assessment and have a plan of treatment developed by the appropriate therapist reflective of the medical recommendations specified in (d) of this section, within 14 days of admission to the pediatric subacute care unit, unless medically contraindicated and documented as such in the medical record. Subsequent physical therapy and occupational therapy assessments shall be performed quarterly or more often as clinically indicated.

(f) A speech therapy assessment shall be provided to pediatric subacute care patients as medically indicated and a plan of treatment developed that identifies measurable functional goals within specific time frames.

(g) For each pediatric subacute care patient, in developing the plan of treatment specified in (e) of this section, the therapist shall:

(h) The therapy services specified in (e) through (g) of this section shall be considered a part of the pediatric subacute care services authorized in accordance with Section 51335.6(c).

(i) In addition to the therapy services as specified in (e), (f) and (g) of this section, supplemental rehabilitation therapy services provided in a pediatric subacute care unit may be covered separately for pediatric subacute care patients who, as determined by the physician who performs the assessment specified in (c) of this section:

(i) For each pediatric subacute care patient for whom supplemental rehabilitation therapy services are requested, the physician shall participate in the continuing rehabilitation plan of treatment by providing ongoing rehabilitation consultation and direction to the rehabilitation therapy staff in addition to the review and approval of the rehabilitation plan of treatment.

(k) For each pediatric subacute care patient for whom supplemental rehabilitation therapy services are requested, in addition to the requirements to (e), (f) and (g), the therapist shall document in the supplemental rehabilitation therapy plan of treatment:

(l) Supplemental rehabilitation therapy services shall be covered separately from the pediatric subacute care services authorized in accordance with Section 51335.6(c).

(m) Supplemental rehabilitation therapy services shall be subject to the standards of medical necessity as set forth in Sections 51303(a) and 51340(e). Authorization requests shall be initiated by the facility.