Home Health Line Breaking News
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.
 
02/06/2013
CMS announced the long-awaited start of demonstrations intended to show the value of bundled Medicare payments in reducing hospital admissions and readmissions as well improving care quality.
 
The initiative will test four different ways to bundle provider reimbursement.
02/05/2013
Home health agencies must use one of three new Q codes to indicate where services were provided for home health episodes beginning on or after July 1.
 
The Feb. 1 transmittal explaining the changes includes definitions of the codes.
 
02/04/2013
CMS is implementing a new system edit that will automatically return hospice claims to the provider when two billing period requirements aren’t met.
 
The edits will take effect July 1, according to a Jan. 31 transmittal.
 
01/31/2013
The rates DME providers will be paid for eight product categories under round 2 of CMS’ competitive bidding process will realize Medicare savings of some 45% compared to current fee schedule prices.
 
Furthermore, prices for diabetic mail order supplies will see a 72% savings.
 

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