Home Health Line Breaking News
12/14/2012
Advocates of federal minimum wage and overtime pay protections want President Obama to tell them why nothing has happened in the year since he promised to change the federal wage and hour rules in favor of home-support aides.
 
In a Dec. 13 letter, supporters of the change urged the president to “stand by your promise."
 
12/11/2012
Recovery auditor (RAC) Connolly will investigate whether agencies complete OASIS assessments timely and whether they’re billing for services that should be covered under the hospice benefit.
 
A third new issue will look for incorrect payments related to partial episode payment (PEP) adjustments.
12/10/2012
Does Medicare pay home health agencies enough?
 
The answer is yes, data compiled by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission staff suggest.
 
12/06/2012
The proposed settlement that would eliminate a common cause of denial for maintenance therapy and skilled nursing claims by chronic-care patients appears close to being finalized, a source close to the case reports.
 
The judge has also ordered HHS to post a notice informing class members of the decision by Dec. 10, 2012.
 
12/05/2012
The idea of thwarting fraudulent claims for Medicare home health by imposing a “targeted” moratorium on certification of new agencies now has the backing of House Democrats and Republicans.
 
Previously, the HHS Office of Inspector General recommended a similar moratorium and CMS said it was exploring the idea.  
 
12/03/2012
Veterans would find it easier to receive health care services from non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) providers under a proposed VA regulation.
 
The regulation would give the VA greater flexibility to refer patients for care in the least restrictive and most convenient setting.
 
11/27/2012
Some provisions of the final 2013 PPS rule are already in effect for episodes that will end in 2013, but therapy provisions of the rule will only apply to episodes that start on or after Jan. 1.
 
That's according to a clarification posted to CMS' home health center page.
11/26/2012
Region B recovery auditor (RAC) CGI Federal has joined its colleagues in regions A and C in posting complex review topics for home health agencies.
 
CGI Federal will examine the medical necessity of both skilled and unskilled services.
11/19/2012
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is asking providers to comment on a draft set of standards for safe patient handling by Nov. 30.
 
The draft document would establish standards for health care employers and workers to ensure both patients and workers are safe from harm during the care process.
 
11/15/2012
A new report by the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG), published Nov. 15, finds that administrative law judges (ALJs) were inconsistent in interpreting Medicare policies and likely to overturn findings from previous appeals levels.
 
ALJs administer the third level of Medicare appeals.
 

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