Online resource packed with regulatory news and expert guidance, tips & tools pertinent to professionals across the post-acute care continuum.
Some hospice period dates have not been calculating correctly through the Common Working File (CWF), according to Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Palmetto GBA. Period three and later should be no more than 60 days from the start through termination dates. Palmetto found that third or later periods have more than 60 days calculated in the […]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released four new fact sheets that encourage patients and doctors to discuss pain management options and the potential risks of opioid medication. Information includes: What patients can expect if they are taking opioids Guidance on safer use Prompts for a doctor-patient discussion of treatment goals and plans […]
Nominations are due September 30 for a Technical Expert Panel (TEP) to provide input on a hospice assessment instrument and corresponding set of quality measures in support of the Hospice Quality Reporting Program. For more information, visit the TEP webpage.
In the August refresh of Hospice Compare, providers nationwide scored 86.4% on the “Hospice and palliative care composite process measure.” By comparison, hospices scored 85.3% in May 2019. They scored 83.6% on the composite measure when it initially appeared on Hospice Compare as part of the website’s quarterly refresh in November 2018. The measure shows […]
Payment rates for hospice care, the hospice cap amount, and the hospice wage index updates finalized in the 2020 hospice payment rule will take effect Oct. 1, and CMS has released a transmittal and MLN matters article on the changes. CMS finalized rate increases for continuous home care, general inpatient care and inpatient respite care. […]
CMS has set out to provide further information regarding the Primary Care First (PCF) Seriously Ill Population (SIP) model option with a two-part webinar series, hosted by the PCF Model Options Team. The model “encourages advanced primary care practices, including providers whose clinicians are enrolled in Medicare who typically provide hospice or palliative care services,” […]
In a July report, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) revisited its top 25 unimplemented recommendations for reducing fraud, waste and abuse. Several of the recommendations involve home health, hospice or personal care services. The OIG recommends the implementation of a statutory mandate requiring surety bonds for home health […]
CMS is seeking experienced hospice providers and clinicians to take part in focus groups to help develop a hospice patient assessment tool. Those interested in participating can apply on CMS’ website. The deadline for application submission is Aug. 26. Eight virtual focus groups will take place after that date. Electronic health record (EHR) vendors who […]
More than 175 commenters shared their thoughts on the proposed hospice payment rule. CMS accepted public comment on FY 2020 Hospice Wage Index and Payment Rate Update and Hospice Quality Reporting Requirements through June 18. Comments weighed in on proposals to rebase payment rates, eliminate wage index lag, and introduce election statement modifications and an […]
In an effort to reduce burden, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CMS are seeking to update regulations around nondiscrimination outlined in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register June 14. It would make “substantial revisions” to Section 1557 of the ACA by eliminating “provisions […]