Home Health Line Breaking News
03/11/2013
A review of nearly 5,000 home health claims by New England Medicare administrative contractor (MAC) NHIC found agencies didn’t adequately justify medical necessity for observation and assessment services.
 
In fact, this was the denial reason for 56% of the denials in the review.
 
03/05/2013
CMS released new Q&As March 1 to provide additional guidance on therapy reassessment and face-to-face encounter clarifications outlined in the final 2013 PPS rule.
 
The therapy Q&As also contain an in-depth scenario.
 
03/04/2013
Starting May 1, CMS will deny home health claims where the physician on the claim didn’t have an enrollment record in the provider enrollment, chain and ownership system (PECOS).
 
The claims will be denied with one of two reason codes.
02/28/2013
A congressional redesign of the Medicare benefit should include a home health copay of $150 for certain episodes.
 
That’s one of several suggestions made by MedPAC at a recent congressional hearing.
02/26/2013
CMS has released several new tools to help you assess the effect of the transition and plan for it.
 
The new tools include comprehensive checklists and timeline charts, based on provider type and size, according to a Feb. 26 CMS announcement.
 
 
02/26/2013
Sequestration is set to cause an across-the-board cut of up to 2% for Medicare providers, including home health agencies.
 
The deadline to avert sequestration was March 1, with no congressional action in sight.
 
02/21/2013
Region C recovery auditor (RAC) Connolly will look for hospice claims with core-based statistical area (CBSA) codes which are “invalid or no longer in use.”
 
The auditor also has an active issue for CBSA codes in home health.
 
02/19/2013
The National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) recently met with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in an attempt to outline the industry’s concerns about the companionship exemption’s removal.
 
The pending final rule would remove certain minimum wage and overtime exemptions.
 
02/14/2013
Add another study to the growing pile of research which shows the benefits of telehealth in reducing hospitalizations.
 
Researchers with the Commonwealth Fund found a 20% reduction in hospitalizations for diabetes patients.
 
02/07/2013
(Updated Feb. 12 at 11:45am)
 
Agencies in RAC Region B have reported receiving documentation requests from Region C RAC Connolly. The auditor has since clarified that agencies won't need to respond to these erroneous requests.
 

Login

User Name:
Password: