Home Health Line Breaking News
03/27/2013
A bill that would allow non-physician practitioners to sign off on home health certifications is gaining traction again.
 
Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, says she will soon reintroduce the Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act.
 
03/25/2013
An analysis by a Medicare administrative contractor (MACs) shows that the overall percentage of claims affected by a new edit is likely to be small, but most agencies would see at least some denials.
 
The edit will apply to services provided on or after May 1.
 
03/19/2013
Expect CMS to issue several long-awaited releases in the coming months – including a draft of OASIS-C1, additional guidance on how new survey sanctions will be implemented and revised conditions of participation for home health.
 
That was the message conveyed by several CMS staffers at this week's NAHC conference.
 
03/15/2013
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) once again is asking Congress to impose a home health copay for certain episodes and remove therapy visit counts as a payment factor.
 
The recommendations came as part of MedPAC’s annual report to Congress, which is published every March.
 
03/13/2013
Five major players in health care software are banding together to form the “CommonWell Health Alliance,” which will be dedicated to the establishment of a national standard of interoperability.
 
The collaboration was announced at the HIMSS13 Annual Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans on March 4.
 
03/12/2013
Sequestration cuts, which are set to begin April 1, will be applied based on the day patients are discharged from home health.
 
That's one of several clarifications HHS has recently shared with HHL.
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.

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