Home Health & Hospice Week

Industry Note:

OIG Wants Tougher Scrutiny of Hospice Claims

The OIG released its Compendium of Unimplemented Recommendations (December 2012 Edition), fighting for -- among numerous other things -- increased oversight on hospice claims for beneficiaries in nursing homes. In the Compendium, the OIG includes a new recommendation that CMS modify the payment system for hospice care in skilled nursing facilities. Specifically, the OIG recommends that CMS "modify the payment methodology for hospice care in nursing facilities (to reduce incentives for hospices to improperly seek out SNF beneficiaries), seeking statutory authority if necessary, and monitor hospices that depend heavily on nursing facility residents." The watchdog group also recommended that CMS reduce the rental period for home oxygen equipment, citing that a reduction from 36 months to 13 months would net Medicare savings of $3.2 billion over five years. To view the entire Compendium, go to https://oig.hhs.gov/reports-and-publications/compendium/files/compendium2012.pdf.
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