Home Health & Hospice Week

CMS claims its hands are tied when it comes to inaccuracies in the Common Working File.When you rely solely on the Common Working File to determine your new patient's home health or hospice history, you're risking your Medicare reimbursement.So said Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services officials in the May 23 Open Door Forum for home health, hospice and durable medical equipment providers. When you admit a home health or hospice patient or furnish DME or supplies to a patient and her CWF history comes up clear, that won't necessarily mean you're entitled to the Medicare payment you think you'll be receiving.Why: When another home health or hospice provider serving the patient doesn't bill promptly, the CWF won't show that the patient is under a home health or hospice plan of care, noted CMS's Katie Lucas in the forum. So you'll bill for the reimbursement you believe you're entitled to, [...]