Home Health Line
10/02/2017
Home health agencies spoke up in record numbers about their concerns with the proposed 2018 PPS rule. Many contend the Home Health Groupings Model (HHGM) hasn’t been properly tested, there’s not enough data or feedback available and the model is not ready for prime time in 2019.
10/02/2017
Train staff to recognize signs and symptoms that patients have been abused or neglected — and how to report what they see. Consider the patient who appears extremely fearful and is reluctant to talk if a caregiver is present, the patient with unexplained bruises and the patient whose home is unsanitary — with no working electric. 
10/02/2017
Following a recent DecisionHealth webinar about how to prepare for CMS’ new emergency preparedness requirement, which begins Nov. 15, agencies asked questions of home health consultant Diane Link, director of clinical services for BlackTree Healthcare Consulting of Conshohocken, Pa. Here are some of Link’s answers.
10/02/2017
Smart speaker wireless technology like Amazon’s Echo and Google Home may not be for fun and convenience alone. Some home care agencies are adding them to their array of services to improve care for clients.
10/02/2017
Three U.S. Senators have written letters to CMS Administrator Seema Verma, seeking for the proposed Home Health Groupings Model (HHGM) to be withdrawn.
10/02/2017
by: Home Care Pulse in Rexburg, Idaho
Agencies use a wide range of technologies, from remote monitoring to online portals, according to the 615 respondents to the 2017 Private Duty Benchmarking Study by Home Care Puse in Rexburg, Idaho. Some experts content smart speakers could some become a more popular tool.
09/25/2017
The way Texas and Florida agencies reacted to the recent catastrophic hurricanes should serve as a valuable lesson learned for all agencies when preparing for similar events and for complying with pending emergency preparedness Conditions of Participation (CoP).
09/25/2017
Agencies that have struggled with probe-and-educate reviews or pre-claim reviews now have another weapon in their arsenal to ensure documentation they’re seeking to submit meets Medicare’s requirements.
09/25/2017
Examine how frequently the primary diagnoses you list will be deemed “questionable encounter” codes under the Home Health Groupings Model (HHGM). As needed, train staff to query physicians for more specific information so you can avoid red flags for auditors today that will lead to claims being bounced back under the HHGM.
09/25/2017
Get ready to collect as many as 15 new OASIS data elements involving cancer, respiration, IVs and tubes and nutritional approaches starting in 2019 if CMS finalizes a proposed change announced in the 2018 PPS rule.

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