Home Health & Hospice Week

If you enter the incorrect date, it may cost you big in delays — and reimbursement.

Home health agencies are hoping for a smooth transition to Notice of Admission billing, but that may depend on how closely they read the instructions.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will require HHAs to use an artificial billing date for patients whose stays span Jan. 1 and have a new 30-day billing period start in January.

Here’s how it will work, according to a joint job aid issued by HHH Medicare Administrative Contractors National Government Services, Palmetto GBA, and CGS: “HHAs with periods of care that continue from 2021 into 2022 must submit an NOA with a one-time artificial admission date that corresponds with the ‘From’ on the new period of care in 2022,” the aid explains. “For example, if the start of care is 12.13.21, the first 30-day period of care runs from 12.13.21 – 01.11.22. You would need an NOA on 01.12.22 for a new period in CY2022,” it instructs.

Note: The job aid is at https://cgsmedicare.com/hhh/education/materials/pdf/billing_noa.pdf and a RAP vs. NOA job aid is at www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/files/Request_for_Anticipated_Payment_Versus_Notice_of_Admission.pdf/$FILE/Request_for_Anticipated_Payment_Versus_Notice_of_Admission.pdf.