Industry updates that apply specifically to home health.
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 […]
Despite concerns from the home health industry about the burden of a prior authorization requirement and how it will restrict access to care, CMS will move forward with a three-year Medicare pre-claim review demonstration for home health agencies in five states as published to the rule posted in the Federal Register on June 8, 2016.
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.
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.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services established the Home Health Compare (HHC) website on Medicare.gov as a key tool for patients and referral sources to use when choosing a home health care provider. The star ratings program was added to make the information easier to use and for consumers to be able to knowledgeably select home health providers.
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.
