Envision first in Kansas to receive CORF status

Envision Vision Rehabilitation Center recently received its status from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) as a Certified Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF). It is the first such designation in Kansas.

A CORF, a nonresidential facility certified under Medicare Part A, provides coordinated outpatient diagnostic, therapeutic and restorative services at a single location to patients. Independent physicians provide consultation with and medical supervision of non-physician staff, establishment and review of the plan of treatment and other medical and facility administrative activities.

Congress authorized CORF certification in 1980 to ensure that Medicare beneficiaries have access to a variety of rehabilitation services at one location, on an out-patient basis. Under CORF status, Envision Vision Rehabilitation Center has a Medicare number, allowing low vision services to be billed to Medicare.

The mission of Envision Vision Rehabilitation Center is to enhance the independence and enrich the quality of life for people who are blind or low vision through the delivery of research-based vision rehabilitation. Envision Vision Rehabilitation Center offers comprehensive, state-of-the-art services in one convenient location, 610 N. Main St. in downtown Wichita. Licensed and/or certified specialists work directly with individuals of all ages who are blind or low vision, regardless of ability to pay. A CORF status allows Envision to expand its low vision rehabilitation model to include occupational therapy, orientation & mobility, physical therapy and social services.

To obtain CORF status, Envision Vision Rehabilitation Center applied and underwent a site evaluation by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). The preparation for CORF application required an intensive review by the clinical and administrative staff of policies, procedures and patient service at Envision.

“The CORF process made us take a very organized approach to ensuring we are meeting the health and safety regulations of KDHE and that we are meeting the CORF standards under CMS,” said Jennifer Barclay, Manager, Envision Vision Rehabilitation Center.