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The blanket prescription in physiotherapy

Since November 2024, physiotherapy practices choosing a blanket prescription can set the remedy and frequency themselves. That brings freedom – and responsibility. This guide explains process, rules, maximum quantities and deadlines.

TheraNext editorial team·Remedy billing & HeilM-RL·9 min read
Blankoverordnung: Praxis wählt Heilmittel und Frequenz selbstHeilmittelFrequenzRegelampelprüft Zulässigkeit

The blanket prescription shifts decision-making from the prescribing doctor to the practice: the diagnosis and diagnosis group still come from the doctor, but which remedies are used at what frequency is decided by the physiotherapy practice. That is real progress – but only if the practice masters the rules of the remedies directive.

Key takeaways

  • Since 1 Nov 2024, physiotherapy practices set remedy and frequency themselves under a blanket prescription.
  • Diagnosis and diagnosis group still come from the doctor; implementation is the practice’s responsibility.
  • Maximum quantities and deadlines determine approvability and billability.
  • A real-time HeilM-RL rule check is the most effective protection against rejected claims.

What the blanket prescription is

With a blanket prescription, the prescribing doctor only states the diagnosis, the diagnosis group and that a blanket prescription applies. The concrete choice of remedies and the treatment frequency are set by the practice – within the permitted range of the remedies catalogue.

The legislator’s aim: less bureaucracy, fewer callbacks to the doctor, more clinical responsibility where treatment happens. In physiotherapy, the blanket prescription has been possible since 1 November 2024.

What the practice now decides

The practice selects the appropriate remedy (e.g. physiotherapy exercise, manual therapy), sets the number of sessions and determines the frequency. This freedom ends at the maximum quantities and rules of the respective diagnosis group.

  • Choice of remedy per diagnosis group
  • Setting quantity and frequency
  • Responsibility for compliant implementation

Keeping maximum quantities and deadlines in view

Each diagnosis group has an orienting treatment quantity and a maximum quantity. Exceeding them risks a rejected claim. Deadlines matter just as much: treatment must begin within the intended period, and interruptions must not exceed set timeframes.

Precisely because the practice now carries more responsibility, formal control becomes more important: otherwise a formal error only surfaces in the rejection notice – and by then the money is usually lost.

Avoiding rejected claims

The most effective protection is software that checks the remedies directive in real time. TheraNext’s HeilM-RL rule light instantly shows whether diagnosis group, leading symptoms, chosen remedy, frequency and maximum quantity fit together – before treatment starts.

  • Rule light checks admissibility before treatment
  • Deadline watch flags start, interruption, expiry
  • Clean hand-off into §302 billing

Blanket prescription and billing

The self-selected services must flow completely and correctly into §302 billing. TheraNext takes billable items directly from appointment and documentation, checks them in a preflight and bundles them per payer – audit-proof and GoBD-compliant.

T

Written & reviewed by

TheraNext editorial team

Remedy billing & HeilM-RL

Frequently asked questions

Since when does the blanket prescription apply in physiotherapy?

Since 1 November 2024 the blanket prescription is possible in physiotherapy.

Who sets the frequency under a blanket prescription?

The practice – within the rules and maximum quantities of the respective diagnosis group.

How do I avoid rejected claims with a blanket prescription?

With software that checks diagnosis group, remedy, frequency and maximum quantity against the remedies directive in real time – like TheraNext’s rule light.

Fewer no-shows. Reliable billing. More time for treatment.

Try it free, no credit card, cancel anytime. Live in days – with a guided migration from your current software.