Home Health & Hospice Week

Tip: Disregard episode duration.

Question: What should the physician say is the length of time skilled services will be required if the time period goes past the end of the home health episode?

Answer: “The physician estimate of length of service can be longer than 60 days,” says HHH Medicare Administrative Contractor CGS in its question-and-answer document addressing the new requirement. “This estimate is for however long the physician feels skilled services are needed and the beneficiary will remain homebound to qualify for home health services.”