Home Health Line Breaking News
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.
 
11/12/2012
The HHS Office of Inspector General has advised a hospital-based hospice it won’t challenge a plan by the hospice to coordinate free, non-skilled services for beneficiaries who may require Medicare hospice services in the near future.
11/07/2012
CMS is implementing a change that ensures you’ll get the full payment you’re owed when partial episode payment (PEP) adjustments are erroneously applied to dual eligibles’ claims.
 
The change will be effective for home health episodes ending on or after Jan. 1, 2010.
 
11/02/2012
(Updated at 4:10pm on Nov. 5)
 
The final 2013 PPS rule for home health will decrease payments by only 0.01%, but includes new sanctions for CMS surveys and clarifications of the face-to-face encounter and therapy requirements. 
 
 
11/01/2012
Region A recovery auditor (RAC) Performant Recovery has posted two new complex review topics for home health claims.
 
The first issue will examine claims for patients in their third or later episode for medical necessity.
 

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