Home Health & Hospice Week

Medicare is removing one billing hassle for hospices this fall.

Old way: Currently, hospices must obtain a supplier number to bill Medicare for vaccinations and must submit the services on a professional claim, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ notes in CR 9052 released April 28.

New way: Starting Oct. 1, “Medicare hospice providers may bill for vaccine services on institutional claims,” CMS says.

Difference: “With issuance of the change, CMS institutes a policy for hospice billing of preventive vaccines that is comparable to what is applicable for home health providers, except that home health agencies are paid at the outpatient prospective payment rate and hospices will be paid based on the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule,” notes the National Association for Home Care & Hospice.

Tip: The vaccines must be billed on a claim separate from hospice services, CMS notes in its revised manual guidance.

“A hospice enrolled as a supplier under Part B may also continue to bill vaccines through Part B if it wishes to,” NAHC points out. See the CR at www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/downloads/R3503CP.pdf.