Home Health & Hospice Week
The one-month fix for physicians' 23 percent pay cut
The one-month fix for physicians' 23 percent pay cut scheduled for Dec. 1 won't cost home care providers anything, but the related threat to home care reimbursement starts all over again next month. The U.S. Senate and House have passed legislation averting the cut for one month using funds raised by cutting payments for multiple Part B therapy services furnished to patients in one day, according to press reports. The National Association for Home Care & Hospice "supports adequate reimbursement for the care that physicians provide, which often includes signing home health plans of care," the trade group says. "In addition, NAHC applauds Congress for offsetting the cost without cutting other vital Medicare services, such as home care and hospice." President Obama "urges Congress to now pass a one-year extension to ensure seniors maintain access to the doctor they know and trust over the coming year," the White House says in a release. Watch out: When lawmakers go looking for funds for the one-year fix, home care may not escape unscathed again, industry experts predict.
Home Health & Hospice Week
- Coverage:
Use 8 Homebound Strategies To Make Claims Audit-Proof
The homebound verification process starts with good intake procedures. Auditors are taking a magnifying glass [...] - Know Your Facts:
Medicare Definition Of Homebound
The Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 7 states that "the condition of [homebound] patients should [...] - Documentation:
Say Goodbye To Date Stamp For Physician Signatures
New stricter guidelines will require physicians to date signatures themselves starting Jan. 1. On top [...] - Reimbursement:
Don't Overlook These New Billing Codes Required Jan. 1
Make sure your policies and procedures are in place to track which nursing visits are [...] - Compliance:
Avoid These 5 Common Compliance Pitfalls
Don't assume Recovery Audit Contractor audits will pass you by forever. If you're not careful, [...] - Industry Notes:
Edit Delay For Docs May Make Your PECOS Job Harder
July deadline for HHA PECOS edits will come faster than you think. Although CMS hasn't [...] - How patients with advanced cancer spend their last days
How patients with advanced cancer spend their last days probably has more to do with [...] - The one-month fix for physicians' 23 percent pay cut
The one-month fix for physicians' 23 percent pay cut scheduled for Dec. 1 won't cost [...] - The Jan. 1 deadline for face to face encounters is rushing up,
The Jan. 1 deadline for face to face encounters is rushing up, and agencies can [...] - Starting next month, you'll need to get more precise
Starting next month, you'll need to get more precise with your flu vaccine billing codes. For [...] - Will MedPAC get a home health representative
Will MedPAC get a home health representative again? Nominations for the next round of Medicare [...] - If you're having trouble enrolling or reenrolling
If you're having trouble enrolling or reenrolling in Medicare and NHIC is your Medicare contractor, [...] - The need for private duty home care continues to grow,
The need for private duty home care continues to grow, and so does the roster [...] - Home care providers across the nation are spreading Christmas cheer
Home care providers across the nation are spreading Christmas cheer this holiday season. Some examples: [...] - Want to clean up your claims submission errors?
Want to clean up your claims submission errors? Consult Cahaba GBA's list of top problems and [...]
