Home Health CoPs Frequently Asked Questions
On January 23, 2019, CMS published a an addendum to the Home Health interpretive guidelines titled, Home Health Conditions of Participation Frequently Asked Questions (HHCoPs […]
January 2019
February 2018
Does Your Retention Strategy Focus on “Staying”?
If "stay interviews" are not part of your overall retention strategy, then you are likely missing out on a critical tool to boost employee satisfaction and reduce turnover. A "stay interview" is a one-on-one interview between a manager and employee. It's designed to help the manager learn what makes the employee want to keep working for your organization and what might prompt the employee to leave.
June 2016
Notice of Nondiscrimination in Health Programs
Effective July 18, 2016, all Medicare-certified healthcare organizations must notify patients about how they comply with nondiscrimination requirements. Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in certain health programs and activities.
October 2015
Additional G-Codes Differentiating RNs and LPNs
On January 1, 2016, Change Request 9369 goes into effect, requiring that home health and hospice agencies use two separate G Codes when billing for skilled registered nurse (G0299) and licensed practical nurse services (G0300) to distinguish which service was provided during each visit.
Are You Meeting the New Recertification Requirement?
Have your clinicians been complying with Change Request 9189 of the Program Integrity Manual (Pub 100-08) involving a new certification requirement that applies to recertifications? This update requires a statement on the recertification certification/plan of care by the certifying physician estimating how much longer skilled services will be required.
August 2015
Face-to-Face Encounter Progress Note Template
CMS recently posted a proposed electronic progress note template that it developed for physician's to use to document and support the physician face-to-face encounter requirements. Because the form has not yet been approved by the OMB, use of the progress note is entirely voluntary and optional.
New Service Intensity Add-On (SIA) in Hospice
Based on the FY 2015 Final Rule released on 8/5/2015, CMS implemented changes as to how hospice agencies are paid for the Routine Home Care level of care. Known as a Service Intensity Add-On (SIA) Payment will apply if a visit is made on a RHC level of care day during the last 7 days of life (and the beneficiary is discharged dead), anddirect patient care is provided by an RN or a social worker that day.