Eli's Hospice Insider
President Obama's Proposed Budget Holds Good News for Hospices
While President Obama's proposed budget for 2010 cuts Medicare funding for some healthcare sectors, so far hospice doesn't seem to be one of them. But the budget does ramp up investment in compliance efforts, which the president sees as part and parcel of healthcare reform. The Obama administration plans to shave $20 billion from Medicare spending through increased program integrity activities, reports the National Association for Home Care & Hospice. Enhanced funding for fraud-fighting will enable "the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to more rapidly respond to emerging program integrity vulnerabilities, identify excessive payments, and establish new processes for correcting problems," the proposal says. The president also wants to start paying hospitals based on pay for performance (P4P) and bundling hospital and physician services for payment. Medicare Advantage plans also appear to be under the fiscal microscope. The president proposes to cut funding for MA plans by subjecting them to competitive bidding, among other changes. What's ahead: The president's budget proposal and MedPAC's congressional report are the opening shots in a budget battle that is expected to wage all year. Providers can expect to see actual budget legislation, including possible cuts not even proposed yet, finalized at the end of the congressional session.
Eli's Hospice Insider
- LEGISLATION:
Hospices Win Millions in Stimulus Bill
IT funding could also be a perk. Hospices have won back $135 million in Medicare [...] - PAYMENT COMPLIANCE:
Shore Up Documentation to Support Hospice Eligibility
Take these steps to prevent claim denials, payment recoupment, or worse. The first rule of [...] - CONTRACTORS:
RHHI-to-MAC Switch Scheduled For May
Two MAC regions are on hold, however. Get ready for some payment shakeups as the [...] - MEDICATION MANAGEMENT:
Know the Goal for Psychoactive Meds to Avoid Survey and Quality-of-Care Problems
Find out why and how to target inappropriate use of sedation. When does a medication [...] - Compliance:
RHHI Gets Tough With Hospice Cancer Claims
Reviewers shoot down claims for certification, terminal prognosis problems. You could wind up owing Medicare [...] - COORDINATION OF CARE:
CMS to Nursing Home Surveyors: Report Unresolved Hospice Concerns to Hospice Surveyors
Revised survey guidance for nursing homes includes this directive and more. The Centers for Medicare [...] - COMPLIANCE:
Revised F309 Guidance Spells Out What Nursing Homes and Hospices Should Do for Hospice Residents
Nursing home surveyors now have a specific tag for noncompliance. Hospices aren't the only ones [...] - WHAT DO YOU THINK?When Can a Patient Receive Both Part A SNF Care and Medicare Hospice?
Be careful with this tricky scenario. Question: When can a person legitimately receive both Part [...] - TRENDS:
Hospice Eligibility Is in the Hot Seat
Don't let this compliance issue burn your hospice. There's no shortage of reasons for hospices [...] - INDUSTRY NOTES :
President Obama's Proposed Budget Holds Good News for Hospices
While President Obama's proposed budget for 2010 cuts Medicare funding for some healthcare sectors, so [...]
