The face to face hospice encounter requirement is causing hospices massive confusion as they struggle to implement the mandate. Although the "enforcement date" has been pushed back to April 1, agencies are still trying to comply with the Jan. 1 implementation date. For example:
"If a NPP performed the encounter, the NPP would communicate the patient's clinical information obtained during the encounter to the certifying physician," the final rule says.
Help:
CMS on Jan. 14 added 11 new frequently asked questions and answers to its FFE list (see the link to the FAQs at www.cms.gov/center/hha.asp -- scroll down to the Dec. 22 post).