Home Health Line Breaking News
01/03/2013
The Hospice of North Idaho has agreed to settle potential violations of the HIPAA Security Rule which occurred when a laptop containing protected health information was stolen.
 
One remarkable feature of the case: The breach involved data for fewer than 500 patients.
 
01/02/2013
The first few days of the new year brought a laundry list of news affecting the home health industry, including a proposed rule from the IRS that clarifies key points of the employer insurance mandate.
 
Also, the fiscal cliff deal reached by Congress contains good news, but leaves sequestration on the table.
01/01/2013
CMS has published a set of eight recommended quality measures that Medicaid health homes could soon be required to report on.
 
Health homes are one of many care-transition models authorized by the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
 
12/20/2012
The HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) is asking CMS to establish additional performance standards for contractors.
 
The standards "could guide contractors in focusing their activities on specific types of providers... that need particular oversight emphasis, such as HHAs," the report states.
12/18/2012
What is protected health information subject to the HIPAA privacy rules?
 
It’s something as simple as a complete date, the HHS Office of Civil Rights (OCR) says in new guidance on HIPAA compliance.
 
12/17/2012
A set of new and revised Q&As published Dec. 14 illustrates the latest therapy reassessment changes, but contains few surprises.
 
For example, CMS again confirms that the therapy provisions of the final rule are effective for episodes beginning on or after Jan. 1.
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.
 

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