Home Health & Hospice Week
MA Plan Penetration Affects Even Non-MA Patient Utilization
The rise of Medicare Advantage plans isn’t just affecting your agency — it’s suppressing utilization of post-acute services overall, a recent study says. A study led by Harvard University’s Fangli Geng found that “market-level MA expansion is associated with reduced postacute care use among traditional Medicare beneficiaries — a ‘spillover’ effect of providers modifying their practice patterns in response to MA plans’ incentives,” according to its abstract published in the April issue of Health Affairs. But that reduction may not come with some negative consequences you would expect. “We found increased MA market penetration associated with reduced postacute care use among traditional Medicare beneficiaries, without a corresponding increase in hospital readmissions,” the study notes. See the abstract online at www.healthaffairs.org/doi/ full/10.1377/hlthaff.2022.00994.
Home Health & Hospice Week
- COVID-19:
Last-Minute Update Eases Medication Access Risks For Hospice Patients — For Now
In contrast, home health agencies find no joy on therapist assessment front. The ground is [...] - Regulations:
Loss Of Therapist Assessment Waiver Pains HHAs
Questions remain as PHE end date passes. Federal officials in Medicare and many other programs [...] - Labor Law:
Heed Eleventh Hour Employment Law Updates For PHE’s End
DOL encourages continued use of extended enrollment deadlines. Hospices received good news about controlled substance [...] - Compliance:
Keep An Eye Out For Restructured OIG Compliance Guidance
Medicare Advantage, nursing homes first up for CPG revamp. More frequent updates to the HHS [...] - Oasis:
Make Sure You’ve Trained Staff Well On D0150
New Q&A shows why PHQ-2 to 9 proficiency is key. If you thought you had [...] - Finance:
PHE’s End Won’t Stop PRF Spending
Heads up: PRF reporting now differentiates between expenses and losses. Providers that still have unspent [...] - Industry Notes:
Move QAPI To Front Burner With VBP Tool
Where are your weak spots? With full QAPI activities coming back online, now may be [...] - Industry Notes:
You Don't Necessarily Have To Cancel An NOA When A Patient's MBI Changes
Do you know how to handle billing when a patient’s MBI changes? If not, one [...] - Industry Notes:
MA Plan Penetration Affects Even Non-MA Patient Utilization
The rise of Medicare Advantage plans isn’t just affecting your agency — it’s suppressing utilization [...] - Industry Notes:
Document Carefully To Gain MAC Help With Dispute Billing
Hospices wrestling with transfer patient billing problems can use a form to help them resolve [...] - Industry Notes:
Claims System Dark Days Shift Later In The Month
If you have Medicare claims system “dark days” marked on your calendar for May 12-May [...] - Industry Notes:
Worry About 1 Less HIPAA Task
Don’t sweat it if you’ve been sending claims with protected health information in the mail [...]
