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Home Health & Hospice Week

Pay For Performance:
P4P DEMO MAY BRING EXTRA REIMBURSEMENT TO HOME CARE
Demo funding drawn from reduced hospital, ER use.Home health agencies got some good news a... Read more
PROPOSED P4P DEMONSTRATION MEASURES AND THEIR WEIGHTS
Incidence of Acute Care Hospitalization (25%)Incidence of Any Emergent Care (15%)Improveme... Read more
Quality:
HHAs PROTEST HOSPITAL, RE MEASURES FOR P4P DEMO
Ambulation measure problematic too.The new pay for performance demonstration is likely to ... Read more
Competitive Bidding:
COMPETITIVE BIDDING MAY BE CLOSER THAN YOU THINK
There's no final rule--but no time to waste.If your wares include durable medical equipmen... Read more
Competitive Bidding:
SURVIVE AND THRIVE WITH THESE 3 VITAL BIDDING STEPS
Knowledge will be power.Competitive bidding is at your doorstep, so be sure you've covered... Read more
Therapy:
THINK TWICE ABOUT BILLING INFRARED THERAPY TREATMENTS
CMS says no to this modality.If you furnish provide infrared therapy, beware.You may be on... Read more
OASIS:
3 SIMPLE WAYS TO IMPROVE OASIS ACCURACY
When assessing, try replacing 'tell me' with 'show me.'Watch out: Transmitting flawed OASI... Read more
Power Mobility:
DON'T MISS DETAILS OF ROUND-TWO WHEELCHAIR CODE REVISIONS
Feds redefine some items.The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may have more te... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
CODE MUSCLE WEAKNESS RIGHT TO KEEP REIMBURSEMENT STRONG
Tip:  Focus on multiple aspects of an underlying disease.Learning when to report 728.... Read more
Gauge Your Past Performance and Steer Your Agency Higher
Introducing Eli's 2006 Home Health Operations Dashboard presented by Eli's Home Care Week ... Read more
Industry Notes:
CONGRESS EXTENDS THERAPY CAP EXCEPTIONS
Last-minute legislation also addresses recovery audits, wage index, respite care.Home heal... Read more
Legislation:
HHAs DODGE ELEVENTH HOUR BUDGET BULLET
3.3% pay increase for HHAs remains intact for 2007.Congress gave home care providers a nic... Read more
Power Mobility:
WHAT THE NEW FEE SCHEDULE REFINEMENTS MEAN FOR SUPPLIERS
Suppliers, disability advocates vow to continue push for change.The Centers for Medicare &... Read more
Pay for Perfomance:
P4P DEMO WILL USE OBQI MEASURES
Get your comments in by the Dec. 29 deadlines.You'll have only two weeks to digest the det... Read more
Reimbursement:
HHAS COULD FACE 2008 RATE FREEZE
Home health agencies are gearing up to mobilize against a familiar threat to payment rates... Read more
Fraud & Abuse:
ENFORCEMENT HEATS UP--HOW TO STEER CLEAR OF KILLER PENALTIES
Avoid 'the problem that can bankrupt you.'Breathe fresh life into your compliance plan or ... Read more
Compliance:
LIMIT FINANCIAL RISK WITH THESE 3 BASICS STEPS
The feds--and state agencies--are watching.It's not rocket science--but many agencies need... Read more
Industry Notes:
OBTAIN SPECIFIC FREQUENCIES OR FACE CLAIMS DENIALS
Intermediary cracks down on vague plans of care.Your reimbursement is riding on the detail... Read more
Patient Notices:
DON'T CONFUSE ORDERS AND CARE LEVEL FOR ABNs
One intermediary's answer to a common ABN question may surprise you.Your responsibility to... Read more
Regulations:
HHAs STRUGGLE WITH ABN COMPLIANCE
Confusion abounds for notice application.If you're finding it hard to understand and imple... Read more
Pay For Performance:
MEDICARE P4P DEMONSTRATION FOR HHAs KICKS INTO GEAR
More details unveiled in special forum this month.You soon might get a peek at what pay fo... Read more
Benchmarking:
4 KEY INDICATORS MAY STEER YOU TOWARD INCREASED PROFITABILITY
What case mix, payment ratio data say about your agency's status.You know pay for performa... Read more
Prospective Payment System:
DON'T LET PAYMENT ADJUSTMENTS DO PROFITS IN
Mine deep into data for more insights.You may be on your way to enhanced profits by the da... Read more
Reimbursement:
CASH THOSE CHECKS OR DON'T CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT
Here are 2 good reasons to make sure your cost report is accurate.Don't expect to cla... Read more
Fraud & Abuse:
FEDS BOAST BIG SAVINGS, RECOUPMENTS FOR 2006
Look for stepped up audits and recoupments from the HHS Office of Inspector General. In it... Read more
Industry Notes:
PHYSICIAN PAYMENT FIX THREATENS HOME CARE
Negotiations go down to the wire.An elimination of the cut to physicians' Medicare payment... Read more
Accreditation:
HOSPITAL BASED-PROVIDERS MUST SWITCH BACK TO JCAHO
HHAs protest revocation of cooperative accreditation agreement with CHAP.If you're a hospi... Read more
Competitive Bidding:
CMS ANNOUNCES DMEPOS ACCREDITING ORGANIZATIONS
Stay tuned for bidding final rule.Suppliers are one step closer to the new world of compet... Read more
Managed Care:
5 STEPS TO MANAGED CARE CONTRACTING SUCCESS
Knowing your costs is essential.If you're worked up about P4P, potential 2007 rate cuts or... Read more
Reimbursement:
PEN PUMPS AREN'T CAPPED RENTALS, CMS CLARIFIES
New transmittal remedies confusion.If you're gearing up for next year's payment changes fo... Read more
Studies & Surveys:
STUDY FINDINGS COULD BOOST HOME OXYGEN COVERAGE
Untapped COPD market awaits.The value of oxygen therapy for patients with COPD will be the... Read more
Industry Notes:
MEDICARE DOES BETTER AT COLLECTING DOCUMENTATION
CERT success evident to GAO.The federal government spent $7 billion less in improper payme... Read more
Strategy:
SURVIVE THE MANAGED CARE ONSLAUGHT WITH THESE TIPS
Employ managed care tactics with Medicare processes.To survive and thrive under the growin... Read more
Regulations:
PAY-FOR-REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SHOULDN'T OVERWHELM YOU
CMS also addresses M0175 takebacks, managed care in Open Door Forum.Regulators won't be po... Read more
Competitive Bidding:
SUPPLIERS BRACE FOR ACCREDITATION RUSH
Bidding details out soon, CMS promised in Open Door Forum.Durable medical equipment suppli... Read more
Therapy:
PART B CUTS HIT OUTPATIENT THERAPY RATES
HHAs furnishing Part B therapy may feel the pinch.The probable lack of a physician reimbur... Read more
Power Mobility Devices:
FEDS RATCHET UP NEW FEE SCHEDULE RATES
Wheelchair suppliers push for more eleventh-hour changes.Suppliers of power mobility devic... Read more
Compliance:
2 MARKETING NO-NOs FOR HOME OXYGEN SUPPLIERS
Lesson learned:  Think through marketing moves carefully.Oxygen suppliers may want to... Read more
Legislation:
WHEN TO EXPECT NEW MEDICARE LEGISLATION
Minimum wage changes could be ahead.Home health agencies are probably out of the woods for... Read more
Industry Notes:
NORTHEAST STATES SEE HIGHEST NURSE RATIO
Where does your state rank in availability of scarce staffing resources?If you're a New Ha... Read more
Gauge Your Past Performance and Steer Your Agency Higher
Introducing Eli's 2006 Home Health Operations Dashboard presented by Eli's Home Care Week ... Read more
Prospective Payment System:
FULL WAGE INDEX SWITCH WALLOPS SOME PROVIDERS
CMS sets 3.3 percent increase in latest PPS rate update.You may see a big change to your M... Read more
Quality:
CMS PAVES WAY FOR P4P WITH LATEST RATE UPDATE
Expect new process-based quality measures in coming years.In addition to being a regulator... Read more
Reimbursement:
FINAL RULE HELPS OXYGEN SUPPLIERS BREATHE SIGH OF RELIEF
Makers of higher tech equipment gain payment boost.After months of guesswork and dire pred... Read more
Legislation:
DEMOCRATIC ELECTION VICTORY GOOD FOR HOME CARE
Medicare managed care likely to become lawmakers' new financing pincushion.Home care provi... Read more
Operations:
IRS UPS MILEAGE RATE FOR BUSINESS TRAVEL
Potential impact:  A 9 percent bite off your bottom line.Travel costs could continue ... Read more
Lawsuits:
SUPPLIERS MUST GO BEYOND CMN, COURT SAYS
Suppliers of durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics and supplies (DMEPOS) may h... Read more
Industry Notes:
HHA WINS THIS ROUND OF KICKBACK LAWSUIT FIGHT
Final district court decision yet to come.A preliminary court decision favorable to a home... Read more
Legislation:
ELECTIONS MAY DETERMINE HOME CARE FATE
Reimbursement could hang in the balance on election night.Don't count on the 2007 increase... Read more
OASIS:
CMS CLEANS UP OASIS CHAPTER 8
Make sure you're following the latest OASIS Manual instructions.If you fail to heed the la... Read more
Medicaid:
STATES, FEDS SEEK VALUE IN LING-TERM CARE
Some agencies stand to benefit from Money Follows the Person grants.Plan ahead and you cou... Read more
Reimbursement:
FACE M0175 ADJUSTMENT WITH THESE 3 STEPS
If you fail to respond quickly, your bottom line could suffer.As soon as the busy holiday ... Read more
Labor Law:
COURTS CONTINUE TO WEIGH OVERTIME EXEMPTION
HHAs hope for Supreme Court review.Home health agencies may soon have a definitive answer ... Read more
Case Study:
6 STEPS TO COST-SAVING SUCCESS
Neglecting your business plan means you're risking your business.If you put off crafting a... Read more
Power Mobility Devices:
SUPPLIERS CONTINUE FIGHT AGAINST PENDING MEDICARE CUTS
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is mistaken in its assertion that claims ... Read more
Industry Notes:
CMS HOLDS THE LINE ON PT COMPENSATION
Per-visit pay open to abuse, CMS contends.Another home health agency will head to federal ... Read more
Reimbursement:
MEDICARE PAYS YOU MORE NEXT YEAR
Home health agencies will receive a 3.3 percent increase to Medicare payment rates startin... Read more
OASIS ~ M0175 TAKEBACKS TO HIT IN JANUARY
CMS agrees to hold off long-delayed recoupments if provider appeals. If your OASIS informa... Read more
Did You Know?
M0175 overpayments come about when home health agencies fail to mark all the correct respo... Read more
Reimbursement:
Suppliers Battle Looming Pay Cuts
Reimbursement reductions compromise beneficiary access to oxygen, PMDs. Two groups of stak... Read more
Therapy:
New OIG Report Could Prompt Additional Audits
The target once again: high-therapy claims. Tighten up your therapy claims oversight or yo... Read more
Billing:
Control Your Destiny With Billing Controls
Tip: Look for HIPPS codes that don't jibe. Don't rest easy just because your Medicare marg... Read more
Quality:
P4P Train Is Leaving The Station: Are You On Board?
Make sure your outcomes won't tie you to the tracks. The details may still be under negoti... Read more
Industry Notes ~ Appeals Board Shoots Down Resurvey Request
Terminated agency stays terminated. Sometimes there are no second chances. High Tech Home ... Read more
HHABNs:
STAY CURRENT ON HOW TO USE RANGES ON NEW FORMS
Tip:  Consider your wording carefully to stay in compliance.The feds won't let you us... Read more
Compliance:
SURVEYORS CAN SHOOT PHOTOGRAPHS, SAYS CMS
Stay on top of restrictions--or be shot down yourself.Surveyors may be wielding a new tool... Read more
News Alert:
CMS MOVES ON PLANS TO REVISE CASE-MIX PAYMENT SYSTEM
Revised case-mix groups could debut in 2008.Your Medicare profit margins could drop under ... Read more
Power Mobility Devices:
NEW MEDICARE FEE SCHEDULE SLASHES RATES FOR POWER WHEELCHAIRS, SCOOTERS
Impact:  If you were paid $6,500 last month, expect $3,800 come Nov. 15.Expect Medica... Read more
Reimbursement:
AVOID THERAPY DENIALS WITH THESE 5 STRATEGIES
Feds promise renewed scrutiny:  Here's how to respond.In its 2007 Work Plan released ... Read more
Industry Notes:
LANDMARK DECISION RECLASSIFIES MANY NURSES AS SUPERVISORS
The National Labor Relations Board ruled Oct. 3 that nurses with full-time responsibility ... Read more
Gauge Your Past Performance and Steer Your Agency Higher
Introducing Eli's 2006 Home Health Operations Dashboard presented by Eli's Home Care Week ... Read more
Compliance:
OIG WORK PLAN TARGETS ACCURACY OF PAYMENT GROUPS--AND MORE
Careful diagnosis coding may be essential, experts say.Take a close look at the latest Wor... Read more
Reimbursement:
FEDS PROMISE NEW LEVEL OF SCRUTINY ON THERAPY CLAIMS
Ask yourself this:  Would you survive an audit?The new Work Plan from the HHS Office ... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
BRUSH UP ON CODING SKILLS TO KEEP CLAIMS ON TRACK
Tip:  Consult tabular and alphabetic index to prevent payment denials.With the feds l... Read more
Coding News:
MASTER NEW PAIN CODES TO BOOST QUALITY, OUTCOMES
Make sure documentation supports your use of pain diagnosis.Now that the calendar's flippe... Read more
Industry Notes:
OXYGEN STAKEHOLDERS CELEBRATE CAP VICTORY
Senate interest in 13-cap proposal dwindles.Sen. Charles Grassley's (R-IA) recent pledge t... Read more
Clip 'N' Save:
IMPROVE QUALITY RELATED TO EMERGENT CARE WITH THIS TOOL
Remember: Medicare's forthcoming pay-for-performance plan will likely consider this measur... Read more
Gauge Your Past Performance and Steer Your Agency Higher
Introducing Eli's 2006 Home Health Operations Dashboard presented by Eli's Home Care Week ... Read more
Reimbursement:
NEW REPORT CALLS FOR QUICK P4P PHASE-IN FOR HHAs
Recommended measures include clinical outcomes, efficiency and patient centeredness.The so... Read more
Pay-For-Performance:
TAKE THESE 3 STEPS TO STAY COMPETITIVE
Small, rural players especially vulnerable, experts say."When"--not "if"--should be the es... Read more
Quality:
JUMPSTART YOUR EFFORTS TO DECREASE REHOSPITALIZATIONS
Can you name the diagnosis that is the strongest predictor of trouble?Medicare's push for ... Read more
Benchmarking:
ASSESS YOUR CHANCE FOR P4P SUCCESS
Use this chart to compare yourselves to the nation's top performing agencies.When Medicare... Read more
Durable Medical Equipment:
COMPETITIVE BIDDING LIKELY TO APPLY TO ALL SUPPLIERS
Physicians may be sending new patients your way.If you're a supplier of durable medical eq... Read more
Agency Management:
EXTINGUISH PERSONNEL FIRES WITH 3-STEP DISCIPLINE SYSTEM
Forget unpaid leave...it's an unplanned holiday for shirkers.When you have a problem emplo... Read more
CLARIFICATION
Please note: The article "Confusion Over Wounds Can Cost You Thousands" in Eli's Home Care... Read more
Industry Notes:
CMS CLARIFIES PMD COVERAGE DETERMINATION
Implementation on codes, LCD delayed until Nov. 15.Medicare will still pay for a Group 2 p... Read more
HHABNs:
FEDS CLARIFY USE OF RANGES ON NEW NOTICES
Hint: The language you use on the official notice cannot be open ended.Home health ag... Read more
Strategy:
TAP THESE 4 TRAINING TIPS TO BOOST HHABN COMPLIANCE
"Coping" is key work during first few weeks, insiders report.Home health agencies can move... Read more
Compliance:
SAVE TIME AND MONEY WITH THESE ADMISSION AUDIT TIPS
Case conferences increase both your accuracy and your efficiency.Conducting admission audi... Read more
Reimbursement:
COACH STAFF ON OASIS CODING--PAYMENT CONNECTION
Review manual revisions--and these vital considerations.... Read more
Crisis Management:
HERE'S WHAT TO DO WHEN FAMILY CAREGIVERS NEED HELP COPING
Keep an eye out for these signs that a caregiver's had enough.A little empathy from a home... Read more
Industry Notes:
HOME OXYGEN STAKEHOLDERS CHALLENGE OIG REPORT
Conclusions clash with earlier independent analysis, providers say.A new federal report fu... Read more
Legal News:
FEDERAL COURT DELIVERS BLOW TO LABOR LAW EXEMPTION
Continuity of care threatened, industry reps say.What pay is due a home health aide who wo... Read more
OASIS:
CMS TO CORRECT OASIS MANUAL MIX-UPS
Train staff, but keep errors in mind.Be sure you've downloaded the update to the OASIS Use... Read more
Staffing:
PROTECT YOUR INTERESTS WHILE COURTS WEIGH LABOR LAW EXEMPTION
Step #1:  Be sure you're complying with current law.Plaintiffs' attorneys are prowlin... Read more
News Alert:
AGENCIES UNDER PALMETTO CAN REQUEST RAP PAYMENTS
Contractor that planned hold in error offers fix.Home health agencies in 16 states will ha... Read more
Reimbursement:
PAYMENT STRATEGY--OFFSET MONTH-END HOLDS WITH RAPS
Success depends on understanding new OASIS requirements.To help keep your agency's cash fl... Read more
Coding 101:
3 SIMPLE SYMPTOM GUIDELINES IMPROVE YOUR THERAPY CODING ACCURACY
Hint:  Code a symptom to avoid coding a disease or condition that has been resolved.K... Read more
Industry Notes:
DON'T CUT MEDICARE RATES FOR HHAS, HOSPICE, LAWMAKERS SAY
Majority of Senators sign letter of support.Home health agencies may succeed in staving of... Read more
Gauge Your Past Performance and Steer Your Agency Higher
Introducing Eli's 2006 Home Health Operations Dashboard presented by Eli's Home Care Week ... Read more
Legal News:
NON-COMPETE VICTORY GIVES HHAs A LEG UP
Top Missouri court upholds home health agency's contract.A new court decision should make ... Read more
Staffing:
NEED A FEW GOOD THERAPISTS? WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS OF PROFESSIONAL RECRUITING
Choose a recruiter who knows home health inside and out.With short-staffing issues rampant... Read more
Strategy:
DRAFT NON-COMPETES WITH THESE CRITERIA IN MIND
Protect your interests without unfairly limiting competition.Though the recent case in Mis... Read more
Compliance:
STRATEGIES HELP YOU STAY FREE OF LIABILITY RISKS WHEN TERMINATING PATIENT SERVICES
Know the 3 abandonment criteria that can land you in hot water.If you're like most home he... Read more
Reimbursement:
Feds Outline Billing Rules For Dysphagia Evals
Remember: Examination equipment may be fixed, mobile or portable.If your home health agenc... Read more
Power Mobility:
NEW PRICE LIST PROBLEMATIC, SUPPLIERS SAY
Stakeholders call for revisions.The feds' effort to "ensure accurate Medicare reimbursemen... Read more
Industry Notes:
AGENCIES MAY NEED TO PAY AIDES OVERTIME
Fair Labor Standards Act exemption invalid, court rules.If you don't want to pay unnecessa... Read more
OASIS:
RAPID FIRE CHANGES TO MANUAL KEEP AGENCIES HOPPING
Revisions--and now corrections to revisions--warrant your close attention.If you think you... Read more
Reimbursement:
TAP NEW SURGICAL WOUND GUIDANCE TO BOOST REVENUES
Is a patient's wound "not healing"?  The right answer just got trickier.An audit of h... Read more
Coding:
BUILD ACCURACY, SAVE TIME WITH THESE 4 STEPS
Spend more time on billing audits, less on compliance, say experts.Conducting audits on 10... Read more
Clip N Save:
CODE OASIS CORRECTLY WITH THIS CHEAT SHEET
Don't let revamped guidelines cause confusion.To help your staff get to know the feds' new... Read more
Quality Improvement:
GET YOUR THERAPISTS TO FOCUS ON QUALITY OF CARE--HERE'S HOW
Don't forget to look at the big picture in your efforts to coordinate care and make the mo... Read more
Industry Notes:
SENATOR PRAISES INHALATION DRUG PRICING PLAN
Industry cites safety concerns.Home health suppliers should keep news about inhalation dru... Read more
Regulation:
FEDS OUTLINE KEY HHABN DO'S AND DON'TS
Telemonitoring exception is one plus for agencies.The clock is ticking toward the Sept. 1 ... Read more
Quality:
PREPARE FOR P4P--TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT HOME HEALTH COMPARE
Know the background of your benchmarks before you make a change.Don't let pay-for-performa... Read more
Clip N Save:
16 WAYS TO LIMIT THE NEW HHABN BURDEN
Keep field staff focused on care with this cheat sheet.To stay in compliance--and keep you... Read more
DME:
CMS RELEASES LONG-AWAITED DMEPOS QUALITY STANDARDS
Some worry about rash to accreditation.Don't miss the latest chapter in the unfolding myst... Read more
OASIS:
CONFUSION OVER WOUNDS CAN COST YOU THOUSANDS
Hint:  Be precise in medical record documentation and on the OASIS.Wound care adds to... Read more
Industry Notes:
CMS STEPS IN TO MITIGATE EFFECT OF RAP DELAY
Error can't be fixed this late in the game. feds say.Home health agencies in 16 states are... Read more
CLARIFICATION
Please note: The article "Confusion Over Wounds Can Cost You Thousands" in Eli's Home Care... Read more
Regulation:
FINAL WORD ON ABNs BRINGS NO SURPRISES
But challenges still abound. The reprieve is over: Medicare certified home health age... Read more
ABNs:
TACKLE THESE 3 TOP ABN TROUBLE SPOTS
"Reduction in services" could be clearer, agencies say. If you're wise, you'll make the fe... Read more
Clip-N-Save:
TRIGGERING EVENTS CHART HELPS BOOST YOUR ABN COMPLIANCE
Use this simple outline to guide your implementation.You may not be inclined to utter "sim... Read more
Coding:
CLEAR UP HYPERTENSIVE KIDNEY DISEASE CODING CONFUSION
Your case-mix depends on it.If you think your staff can rest easy this year when it comes ... Read more
Oxygen:
SUPPLIERS UNITE IN RESPONSE TO PROPOSED RULE
Comment period ends Sept. 25.A proposal to reshape the way Medicare pays for oxygen and ox... Read more
Reimbursement:
UNDERSTAND PAYMENT ADJUSTMENTS TO IMPROVE CASE MIX WEIGHT
Unnecessary SCICs can cost you thousands.You wouldn't want to do your job and not get paid... Read more
Compliance:
FEDS PLEDGE CRACKDOWN ON MEDICAID FRAUD
Dust off your compliance programs, experts say.Home health agencies that fail to step up a... Read more
Industry Notes:
HHS PRAISES HOME CARE'S PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS PLANS
Training resources are available.Federal officials recently praised home health leadership... Read more
ABN Update:
GEAR UP FOR NEW NOTICES NOW
Look for the release of instructions soon, says CMS.All's quiet on the ABN front, but that... Read more
OASIS:
PROPOSED RULE LINKS PAYMENT TO QUALITY DATA
The feds' message:  Get ready for pay for performance.If you're not monitoring your q... Read more
Medicare:
GREET NEWS OF PAYMENT UPDATE WITH CAUTION
Talk of a multi-year freeze persist.A federal proposal to boost Medicare payments in 2007 ... Read more
Coding News:
LOOK TO CODING UPDATE TO KEEP CASE MIX SCORES ACCURATE
Essential:  Expand your options for reporting encephalopathies.Don't let new coding u... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
BE PREPARED FOR THE ICD-9 UPDATE
Avoid the rush--order your new coding manuals now.Prevent claims delays and denials--prepa... Read more
Assessment:
TO BOOST YOUR BOTTOM, LINE ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS ABOUT INCONTINENCE
Fail to get the facts and you could lose $200 per episode.Many patients are too embarrasse... Read more
Compliance:
STAY PENALTY FREE BY REDOUBLING YOUR PRIVACY COMPLIANCE EFFORTS
Health systems struggle to comply, survey suggests.Once your HIPAA privacy program's in pl... Read more
Clip-N-Save:
NAVIGATE YOUR NPI APPLICATION PATH WITH EASE
Remember:  Small health plans and large health plans have different due dates.Don't l... Read more
Industry Notes:
PROPOSED RULE OUTLINES DME PAYMENT CHANGES
New payment classes are possible.Medicare has given durable medical equipment (DME) suppli... Read more
Strategy:
MAKE NEW MEDICARE ENROLLMENT PROCESS WORK FOR YOU--HERE'S HOW
Hint:  Don't apply for that branch NPI just yet.Stay focused to fare well under Medic... Read more
Therapy:
LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD SPEECH THERAPISTS? READ ON
Here's how to attract and keep top talent.It's a job applicants' market for speech languag... Read more
Power Mobility:
SUPPLIERS SCRAMBLE TO MEET LATEST LIST OF CLAIMS MANDATES
New DME MACs add to requirements.Suppliers of power mobility devices (PMDs) aiming for cle... Read more
Case Study:
MAKE YOURSELF PATIENTS' PROVIDER OF CHOICE WITH THESE TIPS
Education, handouts and your staff's attitude are key.Want to discover why your patients a... Read more
Billing:
WORK WITH DOCS TO GET DOCUMENTATION THAT GETS CLAIMS PAID
Suppliers' forms won't fly, contractors warn.For power mobility suppliers, there's a lot r... Read more
Industry Notes:
LOOK FOR HOME HEALTH PAYMENT REVISIONS BY 2008
Panel explores payment by diagnoses.A new Medicare payment system for home health could cu... Read more
Gauge Your Past Performance and Steer Your Agency Higher
Introducing Eli's 2006 Home Health Operations Dashboard presented by Eli's Home Care Week ... Read more
Patient Notices:
HHAs CHAFE UNDER ABN BURDEN
Sept. 1 deadline right around the corner.As the deadline for the home health advance benef... Read more
Regulations:
GEAR UP NOW FOR ABN DEADLINE WITH 4 STEPS
Tip:  Wait to print new forms. Like it or not, home health agencies will have to... Read more
Bundling:
FEDS CLARIFY DME RECOURSE IN SNF BILLING SNAFUS
Don't let nursing home consolidated billing drain you.Your staff know which HCPCS codes ar... Read more
Fraud & Abuse:
HEAD OFF COSTLY WHISTLEBLOWERS WITH 6 COMPLIANCE STEPS
Hospice chain shells out $13 million to settle fraud charges related to terminal illness.I... Read more
Reimbursement:
DON'T MAKE THIS CHARITY VISIT MISTAKE
PRRB upholds PT compensation, shoots down non-billable charity visit argument.Another home... Read more
Industry Notes:
MISSISSIPPI AGENCY WINS LATEST ROUND OF TAX BATTLE
IRS, tax court in error, appeals court rules.Sta-Home Health Agency has had a big burden l... Read more
Regulations:
FINAL ABN INSTRUCTIONS COMING IN AUGUST, CMS PROMISES
Homebound demo, NPIs also addressed in Open Door Forum. Home care providers looking f... Read more
Accreditation:
GEAR UP NOW FOR DME QUALITY STANDARDS
Final version due this month.Expect a quality-standards wake up call this month if you're ... Read more
Reimbursement:
PREPARE NOW TO AVOID PAYMENT HOLD WOES THIS FALL
Try these 5 tips to avert a cash flow crunch during the mandated hold.Now's the time to ge... Read more
Competitive Bidding:
BIDDING TAILORED TOWARD CONVENTIONAL SUPPLIERS
Therapists, docs lobby for exclusions.Mainstream suppliers aren't likely to face much comp... Read more
Benchmarks:
EXAMINE YOUR LUPA RATE TO AVOID QUALITY, FINANCIAL PITFALLS
When your LUPA percentage is higher than usual, it's time to play Sherlock Holmes to get t... Read more
Referrals:
SCORE POINTS WITH REFERRING DOCS WITH HOSPICE BILLING TIPS
Physicians should master 4 modifiers to ensure payment for hospice patients.If you're not ... Read more
Industry Notes:
NEXT DME MAC ON DECK
CIGNA concedes fight in Jurisdiction D.Noridian Administrative Services expects to transit... Read more
Patient Notices:
ABNs BACK ON FOR SEPT. 1--IF NOT SOONER
Start training your staff ASAP, expert says. Home health agencies won’t enjoy t... Read more
Regulations:
HHAs HAVE NEW DOC ORDERS OPTION UNDER REVISED ABN
Providers will use new option the most, CMS says.The new home health advance beneficiary n... Read more
Compliance:
DON'T FORGET SUPPLIES ON YOUR ABNs
CMS issues new questions and answers on ABN details.You may have overlooked an important i... Read more
Oxygen:
NEW REPORT MAY HELP O2 SUPPLIERS BREATHE EASIER
Cost data could drive change.A new report on home oxygen therapy costs may be the industry... Read more
Billing:
DON'T WRITE OFF LOW-INCOME COPAYS UNTIL YOU GET THE FACTS
Good news:  Your state may cover DME copays, even for non-Medicaid patients.If you se... Read more
Industry Notes:
RHHI DENIES 75% OF CLAIMS WITH 1 NURSING, 4 THERAPY VISITS
Beware denials that result in LUPAs.When you submit a claim with one nursing and four ther... Read more
Regulations:
CMS BACKS DOWN ON TRANSMISSION OF OASIS FOR RAP BILLING
HHAs breathe sign of relief over last-minute pull-back.If you don't want to transmit OASIS... Read more
OASIS:
DON'T FORGET THESE OASIS CHANGES
The OASIS regulation that took effect June 21 includes other changes besides eliminating t... Read more
Billing:
CONSIDER YOUR OASIS OPTIONS UNDER NEW REG
5 tips for billing under the new OASIS requirements.Sticking with the old version of HAVEN... Read more
Reimbursement:
SUPPLIERS IN HOLDING PATTERN OVER NEBULIZER LCD
Draft policy could reduce payment for one drug by 95 percent.Whopping Medicare payment cut... Read more
Quality:
MEDPAC PUSHES PROCESS MEASURES FOR HHA QUALITY
Home health is ready for P4P, report to Congress says.Patient outcomes won't be the only t... Read more
Pay For Performance:
9 MEASURES YOU'RE LIKELY TO SEE USED FOR P4P
Get to know these crucial consensus measures.It's only a matter of time before Medicare im... Read more
Industry Notes:
MACs REPLACE DMERCs NEXT MONTH
But Region D slowed, Region C in limbo thanks to protest.In 18 states and the District of ... Read more
Gauge Your Past Performance and Steer Your Agency Higher
Introducing Eli's 2006 Home Health Operations Dashboard presented by Eli's Home Care Week ... Read more
Patient Notices:
ABNs COULD BE BACK ON BY JULY 1
Beneficiary advocates go to court to secure quicker implementation of new notices.The brea... Read more
Regulations:
JULY 1 ABN DEADLINE WOULD SET AGENCIES SCRAMBLING
Keep a look-out for last-minute change.Home health agencies should prepare for the fact th... Read more
Coding:
MISSING DETAILS KEEP MOBILITY DEVICE SUPPLIERS GUESSING
Fall implementation looms for new codes.Changes in the way Medicare classifies and pays fo... Read more
Lawsuits:
HHA STRIKES OUT WITH DEFERRED COMP APPEAL
Medicare manual rules, court says.If you want to fight the rules in the Medicare Provider ... Read more
Managed Care:
PEP YOURSELF WHEN BENEFICIARY GOES TO MANAGED CARE
More MA adjustments are coming up.Home health agencies facing the thorny issue of billing ... Read more
Referrals:
EDUCATE WHEELCHAIR REFERRAL SOURCES ON NEW REIMBURSEMENT
Include physicians and therapists in your education efforts.Reminding physicians of how th... Read more
Industry Notes:
FEDS STRESS M0175 COMPLIANCE IN LATEST REPORT
Medicare to target agencies with higher M0175 adjustments.The HHS Office of Inspector Gene... Read more
Patient Notices:
NEW ABNs MUST GO BY NEW, EXPANDED RULES
Agencies hope for more clarity in ABN instructions.It's official: You have at least three ... Read more
Regulations:
USE ABN DELAY TO MASTER NEW NOTICES
5 steps to success for phasing in the new home health advance beneficiary notice.Just beca... Read more
Oxygen:
EFFICIENCY KEY TO POST-CAP SURVIVAL FOR OXYGEN PROVIDERS
And an act of Congress couldn't hurt.More questions than answers remain regarding how the ... Read more
Reimbursement:
OASIS DATA TRANSMISSION REQUIRED TO SEND RAPs
CMS unveils surprising new twistHome health agencies could face a serious threat to their ... Read more
OASIS:
OASIS DATA SPEC CHANGES COMING YOUR WAY
Watch out for new consistency checks between OASIS items on ulcers and wounds.The change t... Read more
Benchmarks:
USE VISIT BENCHMARKING TO BOOST FINANCIALS, OUTCOMES
4 tips keep you in the black and off the feds' radar screen.It's time to put on your detec... Read more
Industry Notes:
FEDS BASE FALSE CLAIMS CHARGES ON ERRONEOUS COST REPORT
Beware this punishing legal tactic.A lawsuit to challenge a cost report disallowance backf... Read more
Patient Notices:
CMS PUTS OFF ABN DUE DATE UNTIL SEPTEMBER
"Dual use" period in effect, official tells forum listeners.Home health agencies have gott... Read more
Regulations:
USE VISIT RANGES TO LIGHTEN ABN LOAD
But frequency ranges still controversial.Home health agencies are looking for ways to ease... Read more
Strategy:
5 TIPS FOR USING VISIT RANGES
When using frequency ranges to avoid unnecessary home health advance beneficiary notices, ... Read more
Competitive Bidding:
GET ANSWERS NOW TO CONTEND WITH BIDDING CHALLENGE
Suppliers play catch-up as deadline for comments approaches.If you're looking for answers ... Read more
Legislation:
HOUSE BUDGET RESOLUTION EXCLUDES MEDICARE CUTS
HHAs still will have tough fight this year.You'd think if both the House and Senate list n... Read more
Fraud & Abuse:
KICKBACK CASE COULD BE TIP OF THE ICEBERG
HHA owner sentenced to years in jail for fraud plea.Home health agencies could be in for a... Read more
Industry Notes:
COPD CLAIMS UP FOR ADDITIONAL SCRUTINY
If you're not attempting to change the treatment, don't attempt to get paid.Are your claim... Read more
Patient Notices:
APPLY HHABNs TO DME, THERAPY, TRADE GROUP ADVISES
Know when to hand off ABNs to frontline staff--and when not to.It's crunch time for home h... Read more
Regulations:
HOW ABN SPEC SAVVY CAN STAVE OFF NON-COMPLIANCE
Check out these must-know vitals on cost estimates and pre-printed information.If you fail... Read more
Compliance:
ZERO IN ON ANTI-KICKBACK, FALSE CLAIMS COMPLIANCE--OR RISK ALL
Suppliers pay millions in two recent cases.Batten down the compliance hatches or your busi... Read more
Strategy:
COMBAT RECORD GAS PRICES WITH THESE 4 TIPS
Share information on where to buy the cheapest gas.Prices are finally leveling off at the ... Read more
Wheelchairs:
THERAPISTS GEAR UP FOR NEW ROLE IN MANAGING PMD PATIENTS
Know how therapists will affect the way you furnish wheelchairs under the new rule.Wheelch... Read more
Medical Review:
INTERMEDIARY CRACKS DOWN ON V57.1
Get ready to defend your outpatient therapy claims.You'd better make sure your therapy doc... Read more
Industry Notes:
HOME CARE CHAINS RUN UP REVENUES WHILE PROFITS LANGUISH
Publicly traded home care companies are seeing bigger and bigger revenues, but that may no... Read more
Patient Notices:
CMS PILES ON ABN BURDENS IN NEW Q&A
You still have to issue an ABN if the reduction is included in the recert plan of care.Get... Read more
Regulations:
CONTRADICTIONS IN ABNs CONFUSE HHAs, PATEINTS
Be prepared to do lots of explaining to beneficiaries when the new notice rules hit.Home h... Read more
Competitive Bidding:
STRATEGIC PLANNING TIPS HELP DME PLAYERS STAY IN THE GAME
Clues in proposed bidding rule can help you prepare.The feds continue to wrestle with the ... Read more
Compliance:
THINK TWICE BEFORE SELF-DISCLOSING COMPLIANCE PROBLEMS
OIG urges physician kickback disclosures.If you discover possible compliance problems in y... Read more
Diagnosis Coding:
PREPARE FOR NEW DIAGNOSIS CODES TO HIT THIS FALL
Pay attention to diabetes, long-term drug use coding changes.Keeping up on diagnosis codin... Read more
Fraud & Abuse:
OIG GIVES THUMBS DOWN TO DME-PHYSICIAN DEAL
Business relationship is in dangerous waters, latest federal guidance shows.Suppliers and ... Read more
Industry Notes:
PPS REVAMP DETAILS DUE IN NOVEMBER
COPs, hospice-nursing home guidance also slated for this year.Home health agencies may hav... Read more
Recruitment & Retention:
HIGH GAS PRICES SQUEEZE HHA, EMPLOYEE BUDGETS
Rural agencies hit hardest by increase.The return of high gas prices is hitting home healt... Read more
Strategy:
SAVE ON FUEL WITH THESE 13 TIPS
Efficient visit scheduling most popular weapon against increasing fuel prices.High gas pri... Read more
Competitive Bidding:
BIDDING RULE PROMPTS TRADE GROUPS' CALL TO ACTION
Bidding soon may come to your market.Get ready to read--and respond fast--if you're a supp... Read more
Hospice:
CONTINUOUS CARE PROBE HITS HOSPICES
Rise in utilization sparks scrutiny.Increased utilization of costly continuous home care i... Read more
Medical Review:
COMBAT CONTINUOUS CARE SCRUTINY WITH 6 STEPS
Hospices that want to weather the coming storm over continuous care can heed these expert ... Read more
Industry News:
MORE THAN BIDDING INFO PROPOSED IN RULE
CMS sets dialysis supplies fee schedule.The proposed rule implementing the DMEPOS competit... Read more
Regulations:
KNOW WHEN TO ISSUE ABNs--AND WHEN NOT TO
P4P, managed care also addressed in Open Door Forum.The exceptions for issuing advance ben... Read more
Contractors:
DMAC TRANSITION DELAYED UNTIL FALL IN 2 REGIONS
Bidding, wheelchair final rule, UPIN information also revealed in forum.If you're in Medic... Read more
Benchmarks:
DON'T LET SCISs RUIN YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH
7 steps for using this essential benchmark to avoid throwing thousands of dollars down the... Read more
Reimbursement:
CALCULATE YOUR SCISs THE RIGHT WAY
Cut your costs with SCIC know-how.Confusion over when to claim a SCIC--and when not to--co... Read more
Coverage:
KEEP FUTURE NEBULIZER, RELATED CLAIMS ON TRACK--HERE'S HOW
Don't miss the draft LCD--and your chance to comment.Be ready with proof of medical necess... Read more
Industry Notes:
PHYSICIAN PAYMENT CUT BODES ILL FOR HOME CARE
Pending Medicare physician cut even bigger than last year's.News of a pending steep cut to... Read more
Day Care:
DAY CARE DEMO READY TO ROLL IN JUNE
5 HHAs named in demonstration project addressing medical adult day care.Starting this summ... Read more
Reimbursement:
STRUCTURE MEDICAL DIRECTOR ARRANGEMENTS TO AVOID PITFALLS
PRRB upholds $40,000 disallowance in medical director compensation.Would your medical dire... Read more
Compensation:
THERAPY DISALLOWANCE TREND CONTINUES
Provider mulls federal court appeal to secure therapist compensation.Yet another home heal... Read more
Wheelchairs:
PMD SUPPLIERS SAY 'PROCEED WITH CAUTION' UNDER FINAL RULE
Feds do extend time to submit Rx and supporting records.Federal regulators have spoken, bu... Read more
Pay For Performance:
6 PRIME POINTS FOR P4P PREP
Don't let this payment mechanism take you by surprise.Your Medicare payments could be set ... Read more
Industry Notes:
TRADE GROUP WINS CLAIMS PAYMENT CONCESSION
Your cash should flow freer come October.Requests for Anticipated Payment (RAPs) won't be ... Read more
Gauge Your Past Performance and Steer Your Agency Higher
Introducing Eli's 2006 Home Health Operations Dashboard presented by Eli's Home Care Week ... Read more
OASIS:
BEAT M0175 CONFUSION WITH THESE 6 TIPS
Know your nursing home categories.If you're miscoding the highly scrutinized OASIS item on... Read more
OASIS:
M0175 ERROR TALLY REACHES $48 MILLION FOR 2002, 2003
HHAs still getting this OASIS question wrong could be in hot water.The HHS Office of Inspe... Read more
Prospective Payment System:
M0175 ADJUSTMENTS MAY HIT THIS SUMMER
$23 million bill may come due sooner than you think.Home health agencies now have an idea ... Read more
Contractors:
KNOW 'WHO'S ON FIRST' IN THE DMAC TRANSITION
Have you met your Program Safeguard Contractor yet?As the feds ditch the DMERCs, suppliers... Read more
Therapy:
5 TIPS TO BEAT THERAPY DOWNCODES
Intermediary targets single OT visits.Is your therapy documentation up to snuff? If it's n... Read more
Fraud & Abuse:
WHEN TO MAKE PRE-OP VISITS--AND WHEN NOT TO
What recent federal guidance means for your agency.A recent HHS Office of Inspector Genera... Read more
Industry Notes:
HHA PAYMENT RATES TOO HIGH, OIG ARGUES
Congress will take care of excess payments, CMS responds.Add the HHS Office of Inspector G... Read more
Quality:
GEAR UP FOR P4P DEMONSTRATION PROJECT IN HOME CARE
What measures will your reimbursement depend on?You can't just ignore pay for performance-... Read more
Competitive Bidding:
BIDDING RULE COMING OUT 'VERY SOON,' CMS PROMISES
Bid items may vary for different bid areas.Durable medical equipment suppliers soon will s... Read more
Regulations:
6 THINGS TO WATCH FOR OVER THE NEXT YEAR
Beware a 2 percent reduction to your Medicare payments.Pay for performance isn't ready for... Read more
Conferences:
PROFIT MARGINS, ABNs TOP COMPLIANT LIST
CMS, MedPAC reps get an earfulGovernment representatives weren't the only ones doing the t... Read more
Contractors:
UNSTEADY DMAC TRANSITION COULD SHAKE UP DME SUPPLIERS
In a new wrinkle, court sides with CIGNA.Suppliers may wind up losing in the feds' race to... Read more
Fraud & Abuse:
WATCH OUT FOR FREE PRE-OP VISITS
OIG gives thumbs down to widespread industry practice.If you're one of the many home healt... Read more
Industry Notes:
HOUSE TACKLES BUDGET RESOLUTION
Medicare cuts still up in the air.Home care providers may soon get an idea of what House m... Read more
Patient Rights:
YOU'RE ON THE HOOK FOR INVALID EXPEDITED DETERMINATION NOTICES
Tip:  Avoid human error with pre-printed information.You'd better make sure your mand... Read more
Therapy:
HOLD OFF ON EXPEDITED DETERMINATION NOTICES FOR PART B THERAPY
Don't reach for HHABNs either.You can avoid unnecessary extra work if you furnish outpatie... Read more
Compliance:
DON'T PLAY THE PERCENTAGES WITH OVERDUE COPAYS AND DEDUCTIBLES
Watch out for state, federal laws on charging patients interest and surcharges.Patients wh... Read more
Prospective Payment System:
BRACE YOURSELF FOR BIG PPS CHANGES
CMS plans to propose PPS refinements by year's end.The way you're reimbursed for therapy u... Read more
Coding:
NEW ORTHOTIC/PROSTHETIC CODES CAN IMPROVE YOUR REIMBURSEMENT
Tip:  You may not have to use an 'L' code for orthotic fabrication.If you're not taki... Read more
Quality:
MEDPAC MULLS NEW WOUND CARE, FALLS QUALITY MEASURES
Beware hidden costs of process measures.Process-based quality measures could become part o... Read more
Industry Notes:
RURAL ADD-ON FIX IN PLACE
But timeline for correcting improperly paid claims unclear.If you serve patients in a rura... Read more
Legislation:
SENATE GIVES HOME CARE PROVIDERS A BREAK
But physician fix could doom home care reimbursement anyway.After a double whammy from Pre... Read more
Strategy:
4 STEPS TO SUCCESS IN PREPARING FOR THE DEFICIT REDUCTION ACT
Suppliers should get proactive about changes, experts advise.Don't let the looming Deficit... Read more
Statistics:
KNOW YOUR FACTS--MEDICARE HOSPICE PAYMENTS
Non-cancer diagnoses growing for hospice patients, along with lengths of stay.Don't be sur... Read more
Marketing:
BOOST YOUR DME BUSINESS WITH FOCUS GROUPS
Spend a little energy to gain a lot of insight into improving your bottom line.If you're a... Read more
Referrals:
SAVE HOSPITAL REFERRALS WITH TRANSFER POLICY KNOW-HOW
Arm yourself and your referring hospitals with facts about the hospital transfer policy.Yo... Read more
Industry Notes:
WHISTLEBLOWERS REAP MILLIONS FROM QUI TAM SUITS
Matria shells out $9 million settlement.Watch out: Disgruntled employees may have a better... Read more
Budget:
INDUSTRY TAKES UP ARMS AGAINST 2007 RATE FREEZE PROPOSAL
MedPAC pushes freeze at House hearing.The final decision on 2007 Medicare payment rates is... Read more
Therapy:
PREPARE FOR CHANGE TO THERAPY THRESHOLD
MedPAC casts doubt on 10-visit threshold.Smart HHAs should be ready to adapt to a new PPS ... Read more
Prospective Payment System:
PPS INACCURACY SHOULD PRECLUDE FREEZE
One big reason not to pass a home health agency rate freeze in 2007 are structural problem... Read more
Reimbursement:
GAO--CLASS III DME DOESN'T WARRANT PAYMENT UPDATE
Class lll reimbursement up 215 percent.Class III DME devices won't have their own distinct... Read more
Medical Review:
WARD OFF SOCIAL WORK DENIALS WITH THESE 5 TIPS
Schedule MSW inservices before medical review hits you.Is your documentation for social wo... Read more
Industry Notes:
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSES TO BUY AMERICAN HOMEPATIENT
Board will consider alternate strategies to enhance value.The worsening Medicare reimburse... Read more
Finance:
CUTS PUNCTURE RESPIRATORY REVENUE
Oxygen rental cap backlash to continue, expert predicts.Reimbursement reductions took the ... Read more
Prospective Payment System:
NO RURAL ADD-ONS FOR MANY HHAs
CMS promises fix soon.Thanks to a technical glitch, many home health agencies will have to... Read more
Regulations:
PREPARE FOR DME MAC TRANSITION DELAY
Are DMERCs prepared for end of power mobility CMNs?Two DME Medicare Administrative Contrac... Read more
Patient Rights:
AVOID EXTRA ABN WORK BY USING EXCEPTIONS
Home Health Compare, DRA claims reprocessing also broached in Open Door Forum.You can save... Read more
Reimbursement:
BRACE FOR CHANGES IN CAPPED RENTAL REGULATIONS
Still no details on oxygen maintenance and service payments.New rules for home medical equ... Read more
Therapy:
YOU CAN OVERCOME THERAPY CAPS WITH NEW EXCEPTIONS PROCESS
What you don't know could cost your Part B therapy business thousands.The new Medicare rei... Read more
Billing:
USE MANUAL EXCEPTIONS TO THERAPY CAPS AS LAST RESORT
Warning:  You can't appeal denied exception requests.If your Part B therapy program c... Read more
Industry Notes:
MEDPAC RECOMMENDS HHA RATE FREEZE FOR 2007
Freeze unwarranted, industry argues.Home health agencies might want to get used to the lea... Read more
Patient Rights:
GET READY FOR AN ABN AVALANCHE
Reasons to give notices just multiplied.Brace yourself to take on an even heavier paperwor... Read more
Regulations:
KNOW YOUR FACTS--HOME HEALTH ABNs
Get familiar with your advance beneficiary notice options--before surveyors do.If you don'... Read more
Lawsuits:
DME SUPPLIER VICTORIOUS IN OVERPAYMENT CASE
Follow the law and keep a paper trail to prevent legal woes for overbilling.Careful docume... Read more
Reimbursement:
PRRB SHOOTS DOWN TRAVEL COSTS
PT salaries, IV drugs also addressed in cost report decision.If you think an hour commute ... Read more
Case Study:
BOOST YOUR MARKETING PROGRAM WITH RIDE-ALONGS
First-hand experience help your marketing message pack a powerful punch.In today's competi... Read more
Billing:
NEW CMSs, DIFs RAISE QUESTIONS OF MEDICAL NECESSITY
Physician education is the key to good documentation.Documentation of medical necessity re... Read more
Industry News:
HOSPICE CHAINS SHELL OUT $13 MILLION EACH IN SETTLEMENTS
Lawsuit, DOJ take bites out of VITAS and Odyssey earnings.The backlash against the booming... Read more
Prospective Payment System:
OVERPAYMENTS HANG OVER HHAs' HEADS
Rollback to 2005 rates hits agencies.If you're a little confused about your Medicare payme... Read more
Reimbursement:
NEW CMN & CMN SUBSTITUTES HIT SUPPLIERS THIS YEAR
Say goodbye to current CMNs for infusion pumps, PEN.Durable medical equipment suppliers sh... Read more
Outcomes:
REHOSPITALIZATIONS, ER VISITS HOLD STEADY UNDER PPS
HHAs already hard at work on outcomes.The feds can find no reason to complain about home h... Read more
Finance:
APRIA EARNINGS YIELD INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT
36-month cap on oxygen rental means hard work ahead for HME.Lower sales and reduced Medica... Read more
Marketing:
COUNTER HOSPITAL TRANSFER POLICY WITH PROACTIVE MARKETING
Save your hospital referrals with 5 steps.Home health agencies that poke their heads in th... Read more
Industry Notes:
MIND YOUR V CODES, CMS SAYS
Don't list V57 as secondary.If you're wondering whether you can use V57.x for patients tha... Read more
Budget:
PRESIDENT WANTS TO CUT HOME CARE BUDGET
HHAs, hospices face 2007 battle in wake of 2006 defeat.The home care industry is mobilizin... Read more
Budget:
HME INDUSTRY PREPARES BUDGET BATTLE PLAN
President's 2007 budget brings more bad news for home care.The 2006 budget reconciliation ... Read more
Prospective Payment System:
NEW HHA RATES GO INTO EFFECT
Agencies protest lack of information.If all goes as planned, you should start receiving ne... Read more
Wheelchairs:
SPEED CLAIMS PROCESSING WITH K CODES FOR ADJUSTABLE CUSHIONS
Payment rates for these new codes not yet set.The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Serv... Read more
Lawsuit:
DON'T BANK ON INTERMEDIARY GUIDANCE
Appeals court lets RHHI go back on approval of cost report methodology.If you rely on your... Read more
Hospice:
WATCH OUT FOR HOSPICE SURVEY RED FLAG
Sidestep this new admission landmine. You could find yourself in hot water with surveyors ... Read more
Studies & Surveys:
OIG SAYS HOME CARE QUALITY OK
Home health agencies haven't been providing inadequate services under the prospective paym... Read more
Industry Notes:
OREGON HHA IN HOT SEAT AFTER PATIENT DATA THEFT
Agency faces lawsuit, investigations.If you're wondering how bad a patient information sec... Read more
Legislation:
HOUSE PASSES 2006 BUDGET BILL BY NARROW MARGIN
HHA, DME changes set to take effect after all.An HHA rate freeze and DME capped rental res... Read more
Therapy:
THERAPY SCRUTINY SPREADS IN WAKE OF OIG AUDITS
Denials hinge on documentation.Your chances of coming under the microscope for therapy ser... Read more
Medical Review:
PROTECT THERAPY REIMBURSEMENT WITH THESE 5 POINTERS
Take the auditing into your own hands.The latest home health agency audited by the OIG isn... Read more
Respiratory:
CAPPED RENTAL HITS RESPIRATORY ASSIST DEVICES
Switch will impact neuromuscular patients negatively, experts warn.Respiratory suppliers h... Read more
Hospice:
DON'T BE AFRAID TO MENTION HOSPICE DISCHARGE
Hospice COP wolf comes in regulatory sheep's clothing.Mum is no longer the hospice dischar... Read more
Reimbursement:
CMS SLASHES BLOOD GLUCOSE BATTERY REIMBURSEMENT RATES
HME suppliers question fee calculation.Supplying replacement batteries for blood glucose m... Read more
Industry Notes:
INTERMEDIARY CRACKS DOWN ON TRAUMA DIAGNOSIS CODES
But agencies can breathe easier on other coding-focused probes.If you're using trauma diag... Read more
Therapy:
OIG HAMMERS ANOTHER AGENCY WITH THERAPY AUDIT
Feds assess $685,000 overpayment for denied therapy visits.The HHS Office of Inspector Gen... Read more
Labor Law:
HHAs WIN BIG IN SUPREME COURT LABOR LAW ACTION
Nation's highest court sides with industry on the companionship exemption.Home health... Read more
Labor Law:
MEET COMPANIONSHIP EXEMPTION IN 4 STEPS
Keep general household work under the exemption threshold.Home health agencies can feel be... Read more
Drugs:
SUPPLIERS HOLD THEIR BREATH AS DISPENSING FEE CUTS TAKE EFFECT
Care management activities aren't covered with inhalation drugs, says CMS.As of Jan. 1, th... Read more
Regulations:
HHA RATES COULD CHANGE ANY DAY
Providers also raise questions in Open Door Forum on CMS Web site, OASIS.You can expect yo... Read more
Marketing:
AN OPEN HOUSE CAN OPEN DOORS FOR YOUR DME BUSINESS
Build stronger ties with your customers.An open house can be a boon to your durable medica... Read more
Hospice:
KNOW WHEN YOU CAN CONTRACT FOR STAFF--AND WHEN YOU CAN'T
Crucial hospice guidance for surveyors hits the books.Now hospices can point to the Medica... Read more
Industry Notes:
NEW ASSOCIATION HOLDS NEW ORLEANS CONFERENCE
200 attendees target disaster preparedness.Need a reminder of why disaster preparedness is... Read more
Therapy:
USE OIG THERAPY AUDITS TO SPUR BETTER DOCUMENTATION
Would your high-therapy episodes pass muster with the feds?Every cloud has a silver lining... Read more
Audits:
8 THERAPY RED FLAGS THE FEDS MAY BE LOOKING FOR
The more of these you have, the more you may catch reviewers' attention.Medicare often has... Read more
Strategy:
FOLLOW THIS SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR DME
Consider MMA analysis when facing payment cuts.Five years from now there will be 4,300 few... Read more
Managed Care:
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLAYING FIELD FOR YOUR DME BUSINESS
What category does your business fall into?If you're pitching the right services to the wr... Read more
Marketing:
SHOULD YOU TEACH SENIORS ABOUT THE MEDICARE DRUG BENEFIT?
Watch out for potential conflicts of interest, experts warn.Your Medicare patients are con... Read more
Referrals:
PREVENT PROHIBITED REFERRALS WITH STARK EXCEPTION
Kickback risks could lurk in your physician relationships.If you're worried about referral... Read more
Industry Notes:
QIOs UNDER FIRE FOR FANCY CONFERENCES
Senate Finance Chair demands answers from CMS. Federal lawmakers aren't happy with how som... Read more
Managed Care:
IS MANAGED CARE TAKING A BITE OUT OF YOUR BOTTOM LINE?
You could find out too late the prescription drug benefit is hitting you in the wallet.Hom... Read more
Reimbursement:
TAKE 6 STEPS TO BETTER MANAGE MANAGED CARE
Protect yourself from denied reimbursement with some upfront work.Under the new Part D dru... Read more
Contractors:
SUPPLIERS HOPE FOR SMOOTH TRANSITION FROM DMERCS TO MACs
New players add mystery to DME payment environment.Region A and Region D suppliers will su... Read more
Case Study:
USE SAFE HARBOR TO WARD OFF KICKBACK CHARGES
Could your contract therapists be a compliance landmine in disquise?To stay competitive, h... Read more
Compliance:
HOW TO R.O.P.E. IN RUNAWAY RULES
Check out a fresh approach to compliance.With mandatory accreditation fast approaching, ho... Read more
Bankruptcy:
BEWARE--IF YOU GO BANKRUPT, MEDICARE CAN STILL FREEZE PAYMENTS
New law requires you to protect patient privacy in bankruptcy.The law on bankruptcies has ... Read more
Industry Notes:
CMS POISED TO CHANGE PAY RATES WHEN BUDGET LAW PASSES
Physician focus may translate to quick HHA changes too.Don't get too used to the 2006 paym... Read more
OASIS:
SAY GOODBYE TO OASIS LOCK DATE
But say hello to a shorter transmission timeframe for OASIS data.Home health agencies scra... Read more
Budget:
SUPPLIERS FACE PAYMENT HIT WHEN HOUSE RECONVENES
Budget shocker subjects oxygen to capped rental, forced purchase.Congress wants to reduce ... Read more
Prospective Payment System:
CMS FORGES AHEAD WITH 2006 PAY INCREASE FOR HHAs
But don't count on the extra money yet.Good news: Even though both the U.S. House and Sena... Read more
Recruitment & Retention:
RECRUIT STELLAR THERAPISTS WITH THESE 7 TIPS
Focus on clinical rather than financial incentives for new hires.If you have a hard time r... Read more
Therapy:
CALCULATE YOUR THERAPY EMPLOYMENT NEEDS
Cut therapist workload confusion with this tool to gauge your staffing requirements.It's l... Read more
Regulations:
SUPPLIERS PREPARE FOR CHALLENGING 2006
Expect to do more with less under tougher regulations and increased scrutiny.DME providers... Read more
Industry Notes:
PHYSICIAN-FURNISHED HOME CARE PICKS UP SPEED
Rise in doc visits also brings more scrutiny.Some of your patients may begin receiving mor... Read more
Available Years:  2006  2005  2004  2003