PDPM Coding Question – Are days when therapy completes an evaluation only supposed to be counted as therapy days on the MDS?

The day of evaluation should be counted in terms of determining the Therapy Start Date, but not counted as a “therapy day” if no direct treatment was provided. See the below explanation from RAI pg. O – 17.

Days—Enter the number of days therapy services were provided in the last 7 days. A day of therapy is defined as skilled treatment for 15 minutes or more during the day.

Therapy Start Date—Record the date the most recent therapy regimen (since the most recent entry/reentry) started. This is the date the initial therapy evaluation is conducted regardless if treatment was rendered or not or the date of resumption, in cases where the resident discontinued and then resumed therapy.